Best Schools for Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates earn a median of $32,379 within two years of graduation, ranking #189 out of 292 tracked majors — 9% below the median across all fields. There are 271 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 12,598 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Columbia Southern University graduates earn $62,260 while Colby-Sawyer College graduates earn $17,470 — a $44,790 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates see an average 3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

271
Schools
$32,379
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#189
of 292 Majors
12,598
Graduates

Public vs Private: Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Public (172 schools)
$32,230
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (92 schools)
$31,752
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Natural Resources Conservation and Research, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Natural Resources Conservation and Research by State

Top Natural Resources Conservation and Research Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
C

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL ·

$62,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $60,105
Grads: 36
Acceptance: N/A
#2
Y

Yale University

New Haven, CT · Private

$60,161
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 4.5%
#3
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$59,124
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 29.8%
#4
U

University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, MD ·

$56,234
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,910
Grads: 53
Acceptance: N/A
#5
C

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,625
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 96.8%
#6
U

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, TX · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $58,690
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 75.3%
#7
M

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Buzzards Bay, MA · Public

$50,231
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,730
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 94.5%
#8
S

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$48,041
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,783
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 80.2%
#9
B

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$48,041
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 32.0%
#10
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$46,673
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,250
Grads: 302
Acceptance: 11.7%
#11
C

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private

$44,942
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.9%
#12
D

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$44,170
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,921
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 77.5%
#13
M

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public

$43,798
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,181
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 91.3%
#14
V

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$43,798
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 25.1%
#15
A

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV ·

$43,128
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,245
Grads: 202
Acceptance: N/A
#16
I

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 45.2%
#17
M

Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT · Private

$42,188
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,553
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 10.4%
#18
U

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, NE · Public

$42,123
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,699
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 86.9%
#19
A

American University

Washington, DC · Private

$41,992
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 47.4%
#20
T

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private

$41,937
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,976
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 10.1%
#21
O

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · Public

$41,844
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,274
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 70.2%
#22
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,898
Grads: 52
Acceptance: 8.7%
#23
U

University of Denver

Denver, CO · Private

$41,565
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.2%
#24
U

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

$41,565
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 37.2%
#25
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$41,406
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,746
Grads: 164
Acceptance: 41.6%
#26
C

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public

$41,025
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,343
Grads: 35
Acceptance: 81.4%
#27
S

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH · Private

$41,007
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,593
Grads: 124
Acceptance: 96.1%
#28
S

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, PA · Public

$40,068
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,973
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 85.5%
#29
V

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,493
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 57.0%
#30
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$39,523
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,249
Grads: 279
Acceptance: 63.2%
#31
M

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,678
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 99.1%
#32
D

Drew University

Madison, NJ · Private

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,366
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 69.4%
#33
W

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,870
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 92.5%
#34
B

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,489
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 5.2%
#35
S

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,395
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 88.3%
#36
K

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, PA · Public

$39,214
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,203
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 94.8%
#37
U

University of Phoenix-Arizona

Phoenix, AZ ·

$39,166
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,885
Grads: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#38
U

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$39,166
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,885
Grads: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#39
R

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,832
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 77.8%
#40
R

Roger Williams University

Bristol, RI · Private

$39,009
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 87.8%
#41
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$38,906
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,617
Grads: 74
Acceptance: 90.2%
#42
A

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · Public

$38,906
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,617
Grads: 74
Acceptance: 64.1%
#43
I

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public

$38,337
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,494
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 80.4%
#44
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$38,313
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 10.0%
#45
G

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, GA · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 87.8%
#46
U

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,621
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 72.2%
#47
P

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, IN ·

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $69,832
Grads: 16
Acceptance: N/A
#48
U

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$38,034
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,738
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 46.8%
#49
C

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$38,018
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,231
Grads: 65
Acceptance: 93.6%
#50
C

CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public

$37,779
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,693
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 68.5%

Showing top 50 of 271 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
Columbia Southern University ranks #1 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research with median graduate earnings of $62,260 within two years. There are 271 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates earn?
Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates earn an average of $32,379 within two years of graduation. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $17,470 to $62,260 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Natural Resources Conservation and Research program?
The average acceptance rate across Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs is 68.3%. The most selective program is at Yale University with a 4.5% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
Private Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs average $31,752 in early earnings vs $32,230 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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