2026 Best Conservation Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Conservation Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best conservation biology schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Conservation Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Best Schools for Conservation Biology in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall conservation biology education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Conservation Biology

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

58 Conservation Biology Degrees Awarded

$28,856 Median Starting Salary

No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for conservation biology. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 conservation biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, conservation biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,856. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in conservation biology from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

10 Conservation Biology Degrees Awarded

$58,568 Median Starting Salary

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in conservation biology, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 10 conservation biology degrees in the most recent data year. Conservation Biology graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Read more about the conservation biology program at Loyola University Chicago

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.