2026 Best Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the The Plains States Region

Natural Resources Management & Policy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools to find the best for natural resources management & policy students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the The Plains States Region

Best Schools for Natural Resources Management & Policy in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources management & policy education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Natural Resources Management & Policy

1

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

24 Natural Resources Management & Policy Degrees Awarded

$41,902 Median Starting Salary

Hawkeye Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best natural resources management & policy schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Hawkeye Community College awarded about 24 natural resources management & policy degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Hawkeye Community College graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. See the full natural resources management & policy program report for Hawkeye Community College

2

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

25 Natural Resources Management & Policy Degrees Awarded

$40,971 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong natural resources management & policy program will find one at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 25 natural resources management & policy degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,971 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in natural resources management & policy from North Dakota State University Main Campus

Notes and References

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 · 9 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.