Natural Resource Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resource economics students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Natural Resource Economics School
The school you choose for natural resource economics can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Natural Resource Economics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Natural Resource Economics Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Natural Resource Economics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Natural Resource Economics in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the natural resource economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in natural resource economics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 natural resource economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource economics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
See the full natural resource economics program report for University Of Chicago
A rank of #2 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for natural resource economics. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 natural resource economics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resource economics degree from Michigan State University earn around $48,967 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $21,755 in student loans.
Get the full natural resource economics details for Michigan State University
University Of Rhode Island came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource economics schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 natural resource economics degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resource economics program make about $49,527 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full natural resource economics program report for University Of Rhode Island
A rank of #4 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for natural resource economics. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 24 natural resource economics degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Natural Resource Economics graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resource economics from Loyola University Chicago
The University Of Tennessee is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 natural resource economics students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Economics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resource economics program at The University Of Tennessee
Oregon State University placed #6 among the best natural resource economics schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 natural resource economics students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource economics degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $48,349. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $34,429 in student loans.
Get the full natural resource economics details for Oregon State University
This list is compiled 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 · 23 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).
