Best Natural Resources Conservation and Research Schools in California

California has 30 colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,272 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $35,377 on average within two years — 9% above the national average of $32,379, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn $59,124 while California State University-San Bernardino graduates earn $21,508 — a $37,616 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

30
Schools in CA
$35,377
CA Avg. Earnings
$32,379
National Avg.
271
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California

Public Schools (20)
$36,043
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (8)
$33,686
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Natural Resources Conservation and Research Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

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

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,625
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 96.8%
#3
S

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$48,041
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $42,783
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 80.2%
#4
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$46,673
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $41,250
Graduates: 302
Acceptance: 11.7%
#5
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,898
Graduates: 52
Acceptance: 8.7%
#6
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$41,406
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,746
Graduates: 164
Acceptance: 41.6%
#7
U

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$39,166
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $40,885
Graduates: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#8
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$38,313
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 10.0%
#9
U

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$38,034
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,738
Graduates: 17
Acceptance: 46.8%
#10
C

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$38,018
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,231
Graduates: 65
Acceptance: 93.6%
#11
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$37,568
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,029
Graduates: 234
Acceptance: 27.8%
#12
S

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$37,568
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,333
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 43.8%
#13
N

Northeastern University Oakland

Oakland, CA · Private

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $42,990
Graduates: 49
Acceptance: 16.5%
#14
O

Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,948
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 39.9%
#15
S

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,271
Graduates: 70
Acceptance: 34.4%
#16
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$34,298
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,965
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 47.1%
#17
C

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$32,569
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,908
Graduates: 85
Acceptance: 94.8%
#18
A

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$31,795
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $43,299
Graduates: 82
Acceptance: N/A
#19
U

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,617
Graduates: 25
Acceptance: 50.8%
#20
U

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$30,409
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,304
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 63.3%
#21
S

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$30,409
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,794
Graduates: 54
Acceptance: 96.2%
#22
S

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$30,305
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,533
Graduates: 78
Acceptance: 94.7%
#23
U

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$29,913
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,054
Graduates: 242
Acceptance: 62.5%
#24
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,140
Graduates: 42
Acceptance: 24.5%
#25
C

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$28,816
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,134
Graduates: 27
Acceptance: 93.7%
#26
U

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$26,353
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,369
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 25.6%
#27
U

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,863
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 80.9%
#28
W

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.4%
#29
C

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$24,885
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,601
Graduates: 148
Acceptance: 98.8%
#30
C

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,045
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 98.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #1 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California with median graduate earnings of $59,124 within two years of graduation. There are 30 schools offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in the state.
How much do Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates earn in California?
Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates in California earn an average of $35,377 within two years of graduation. This is 9% above the national average of $32,379 for this major.
What is the hardest Natural Resources Conservation and Research school to get into in California?
University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in the state is 57.1%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California?
In California, private Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs produce average earnings of $33,686 vs $36,043 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 20 public and 8 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

All colleges in California →

Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Other States

Get Natural Resources Conservation and Research Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.