by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their natural resource management graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying natural resource management schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose natural resource management graduates go on to earn the most.
Central Michigan University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, natural resource management degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $70,146 annually.
Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, natural resource management degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $48,967 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of about $53,081 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Students who complete the natural resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,703.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, natural resource management degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically earn about $51,456 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries natural resource management graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.