by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 72 U.S. colleges awarded 1,621 degrees and certificates in Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 30 schools in its 2027 Best Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $42,496 one year after completing, rising to $60,588 after four years.
A degree in Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy explores Environmental/natural Resources Management And Policy, General. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Develop, Manage, And Evaluate Programs To Protect And Regulate Natural Habitats And Renewable Natural Resources. Includes Instruction In The Principles Of Wildlife And Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, Animal Population Surveying, Natural Resource Economics, Management Techniques For Various Habitats, Applicable Law And Policy, Administrative And Communications Skills, And Public Relations. Examples: [Ecosystem Management], [Environmental Policy And Decision Making].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, environmental/natural resources management and policy draws strong interest, with 1,621 degrees awarded annually. 72 colleges award environmental/natural resources management and policy degrees, an average of 23 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 196.
By level, the 1,621 awards include 2 certificates, 47 associate degrees, 749 bachelor’s degrees, 806 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of environmental/natural resources management and policy degrees and certificates in the latest year (900 of 1,621). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,174) and Hispanic or Latino (155), and international students earned 85.
College Factual ranks 30 schools in its 2027 Best Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Schools ranking, including 21 for bachelor’s degrees and 12 for master’s degrees. It also ranks environmental/natural resources management and policy schools within 19 states. In all, 72 colleges offer environmental/natural resources management and policy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common environmental/natural resources management and policy credential is the master’s degree: 806 of the 1,621 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to environmental/natural resources management and policy call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an environmental/natural resources management and policy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 47 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 749 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 806 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to environmental/natural resources management and policy, at 37.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, with an average median salary of $78,252; the strongest outlook belongs to Conservation Scientists, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Faculty Member, Natural Resources Faculty Member, Natural Resources Instructor and Forest Biometrics Professor.
The occupation related to environmental/natural resources management and policy with the most projected jobs is Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 497,622.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Foresters | 93,289 | 5.1% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn a median $42,496 one year after completing their program, $60,588 after four years and $58,501 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,496 |
| 4 years | $60,588 |
| 5 years | $58,501 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to environmental/natural resources management and policy is Foresters, with a median salary of $93,406.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Foresters | $93,406 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy has 7 similar majors in the Natural Resources & Conservation field, which together award 1,524 degrees a year; the largest are Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (335), Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other (318) and Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management (294). Browse all Natural Resources & Conservation majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
