2026 Best Natural Resource Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Natural Resource Economics 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for natural resource economics students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Natural Resource Economics in the Great Lakes Region
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.
Top Schools in Natural Resource Economics
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. About 39 natural resource economics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Natural Resource Economics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resource economics details for University Of Chicago
Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource economics schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 20 natural resource economics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resource economics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $48,967. Typical student debt for the program is $21,755.
More information about a degree in natural resource economics from Michigan State University
Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 natural resource economics students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource economics degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
More information about a degree in natural resource economics from Loyola University Chicago
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 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.
