by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,071 U.S. colleges awarded 33,989 degrees and certificates in Natural Resources & Conservation. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 70% of graduates. College Factual ranks 509 schools in its 2027 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,964 one year after completing, rising to $57,937 after four years.
Natural 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.
A degree in Natural Resources & Conservation covers Natural Resources And Conservation. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Various Natural Resources And Conservation Fields And Prepare Individuals For Related Occupations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, natural resources & conservation is a popular field of study, with 33,989 degrees awarded annually. 1,071 colleges award natural resources & conservation degrees, an average of 32 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 709.
By level, the 33,989 awards include 257 certificates, 1,750 associate degrees, 23,870 bachelor’s degrees, 7,335 master’s degrees and 754 doctorates.
Women earned 59% of natural resources & conservation degrees and certificates in the latest year (19,973 of 33,989). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (23,134) and Hispanic or Latino (4,083), and international students earned 1,676.
College Factual ranks 509 schools in its 2027 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking, including 42 for associate degrees, 428 for bachelor’s degrees, 118 for master’s degrees and 21 for doctorates. It also ranks natural resources & conservation schools within 51 states. In all, 1,071 colleges offer natural resources & conservation programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common natural resources & conservation credential is the bachelor’s degree: 23,870 of the 33,989 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to natural resources & conservation call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Law and Government and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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.
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How long a natural resources & conservation degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 257 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,750 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 23,870 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,335 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 754 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to natural resources & conservation, at 38.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.0% |
| Master’s degree | 10.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
30 occupations are related to Natural Resources & Conservation, with an average median salary of $71,817; the strongest outlook belongs to Detectives and Criminal Investigators, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, College Faculty Member, Instructor and University Faculty Member.
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.
The occupation related to natural resources & conservation with the most projected jobs is Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 830,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | 735,120 | 1.8% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | 674,467 | 10.0% |
| Police Identification and Records Officers | 532,882 | 7.1% |
| Coroners | 499,816 | -4.9% |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 496,968 | 0.7% |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | 492,341 | 8.2% |
Natural Resources & Conservation graduates earn a median $37,964 one year after completing their program, $57,937 after four years and $56,992 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,964 |
| 4 years | $57,937 |
| 5 years | $56,992 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to natural resources & conservation is Loss Prevention Managers, with a median salary of $165,723.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | $119,630 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Coroners | $110,095 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Foresters | $93,406 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | $85,399 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
Natural Resources & Conservation includes 6 concentrations that together award 33,989 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Natural Resources Conservation and Research (25,253), Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (3,145) and Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (2,547). Browse the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 25,253 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,145 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,547 |
| Forestry | 2,495 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 427 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 122 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
