by our College Data Analytics TeamNatural resources and conservation are hot topics in our society. Many are concerned about the world's quickly depleting resources, whether it is oil, forests or endangered species. If you are passionate about this topic and believe you would like to help make a difference, a major in Natural Resource Conservation is just the beginning.
There are many different majors within the Natural Resources and Conservation field of study. A Natural Resources Management degree will provide the skills to manage how resources are used while majoring in Natural Resource Conservation will teach you how to productively and responsibly use the Earth's resources. If you prefer to work with animals, you can learn about habitat management with a major in Wildlife Management or specialize with a major in Fisheries Sciences. If you believe Natural Resources and Conservation is the field of study for you, any one of these majors will allow you to work in the field you are passionate about.
Natural Resources & Conservation was the 25th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 30,503 degrees in this year alone. This represents a small change of only 0.5% from the prior year's total of 30,341 natural resources and conservation degrees awarded.
This year's Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking compares 270 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of natural resources and conservation programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation
Develop a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set to solve complex environmental problems like climate change, alternative energy and sustainability with a specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to analyze environmental issues and repair and prevent damage caused by climate change with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Most of the majors within Natural Resources and Conservation are based heavily in sciences making a background in sciences very beneficial. Other essential skills are critical thinking and problem solving. Careers in this field require professionals to analyze different problems related to natural resources or habitats and create solutions. A love for the outdoors and a desire to save habitats is vital for anyone in this field.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific natural resources and conservation careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different natural resources and conservation degree levels. You can get anything from a in natural resources and conservation to the highest natural resources and conservation degree, a . The time it takes to complete a natural resources and conservation degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to natural resources and conservation, with approximately 37.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for natural resources and conservation workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 31.9% |
| High School Diploma | 15.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 8.4% |
| Some College Courses | 7.5% |
About 62.6% of workers in careers related to natural resources and conservation obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in natural resources and conservation have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which natural resources and conservation career you choose.
Depending on your major, there are many possibilities for a career in natural resource conservation. Graduates often work for state or federal government agencies focusing on resource or wildlife conservation. Graduates also have the option to work in labs or perform fieldwork. Depending on your level of education, you may be able to perform your own independent research and publish findings. No matter what type of career you want, there are many opportunities available. Your possibilities are endless.
Want a job when you graduate with your natural resources and conservation degree? Natural Resources & Conservation careers are expected to grow 7.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural resources and conservation.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 731,900 | 7.0% |
| Firefighters | 350,900 | 7.2% |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Recreational Protective Service Workers | 163,700 | 7.6% |
| Police and Detective Supervisors | 111,600 | 6.6% |
Recently graduated natural resources and conservation students earned an average of $35,213 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $14,764 to as high as $71,774. As you might expect, salaries for natural resources and conservation graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for natural resources and conservation graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers natural resources and conservation grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Police and Detective Supervisors | $93,100 |
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | $92,550 |
| Environmental Science Professors | $91,330 |
| Fire Fighting Supervisors | $80,310 |
With over 2,997 different natural resources and conservation degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased natural resources and conservation school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Natural Resources & Conservation that might interest you.
BS in Environmental Science - Data Analytics in Science
Help solve real environmental challenges through data with this specialized environmental science degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
MBA in Sustainability & Environmental Compliance
Learn to fit environmental standards into your business practices when you earn your sustainability and environmental compliance MBA at Southern New Hampshire University.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation | 22,254 |
| Natural Resource Management | 2,933 |
| Wildlife Management | 2,449 |
| Forestry | 2,233 |
| Fisheries Sciences | 483 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer & Information Sciences | 254,454 |
| Engineering | 198,468 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 177,778 |
| Engineering Technologies | 85,188 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 52,396 |
