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 12 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.
Our analysis ranked Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University the top school for natural resource management graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students who complete the natural resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $91,116.
Strong graduate earnings at Duke University earned it the #2 place for natural resource management. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Natural Resource Management graduates of Duke University earn a median of about $84,677 a year early in their careers.
Glenville State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Set in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a public institution. Natural Resource Management graduates of Glenville State College earn a median of about $57,986 a year early in their careers.
West Virginia University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. After graduating, natural resource management degree recipients from West Virginia University typically earn about $47,232 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in natural resource management will find them at St Petersburg College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a public institution. Natural Resource Management graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of about $52,247 a year early in their careers.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Natural Resource Management graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of about $57,520 a year early in their careers.
Everglades University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career natural resource management graduates from Everglades University make a median of around $41,859 per year.
University Of Miami ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of about $52,692 a year early in their careers.
Western Carolina University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Western Carolina University is a public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Natural Resource Management graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of about $42,455 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. Students who complete the natural resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,422.
University Of Georgia earned the #11 position for natural resource management graduate earnings this year. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Students who complete the natural resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,514.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution. Early-career natural resource management graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University make a median of around $35,067 per year.
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 · 12 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.
