In the latest year, 19 U.S. colleges awarded 137 degrees and certificates in Range Science & Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 48% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Range Science & Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,321 one year after completing, rising to $60,119 after four years.
A major in Range Science & Management explores Range Science And Management. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Rangelands, Arid Regions, Grasslands, And Other Areas Of Low Productivity, As Well As The Principles Of Managing Such Resources For Maximum Benefit And Environmental Balance. Includes Instruction In Livestock Management, Wildlife Biology, Plant Sciences, Ecology, Soil Science, And Hydrology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, range science & management is a widely-pursued major, with 137 degrees awarded annually. 19 colleges award range science & management degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 33.
By level, the 137 awards include 1 certificates, 23 associate degrees, 66 bachelor’s degrees, 42 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 52% of range science & management degrees and certificates in the latest year (71 of 137). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (109) and Hispanic or Latino (10), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Range Science & Management Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks range science & management schools within 4 states. In all, 19 colleges offer range science & management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Range Science & Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common range science & management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 66 of the 137 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to range science & management call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a range science & management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 23 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 66 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 42 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to range science & management, at 40.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 40.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Range Science & Management, with an average median salary of $73,200; the strongest outlook belongs to Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Agriculture Consultant, Feed Management Advisor and Technology Education Teacher (Tech Ed Teacher).
The occupation related to range science & management with the most projected jobs is Farm and Home Management Educators, at 1,304,119.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
Range Science & Management graduates earn a median $45,321 one year after completing their program, $60,119 after four years and $56,395 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,321 |
| 4 years | $60,119 |
| 5 years | $56,395 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to range science & management is Animal Scientists, with a median salary of $93,823.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $93,823 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
Range Science & Management has 6 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 3,373 degrees a year; the largest are Agronomy and Crop Science (1,387), Horticultural Science (883) and Plant Sciences, General (758). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 1,387 |
| Horticultural Science | 883 |
| Plant Sciences, General | 758 |
| Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | 199 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 104 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding | 42 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.