Natural Resource Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resource management students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Natural Resource Management School
Where you study natural resource management matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Natural Resource Management rankings. For our Best Overall Natural Resource Management School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Natural Resource Management Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Natural Resource Management Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in natural resource management. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 166 natural resource management degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of California Berkeley
Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resource management, ranking #2. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 52 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Harvard University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 13 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
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University Of Connecticut is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resource management program report for University Of Connecticut
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 138 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $71,291 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Lehigh University placed #6 among the best natural resource management schools. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 12 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Lehigh University
University Of Denver ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 165 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $69,861. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resource management details for University Of Denver
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #8 for natural resource management this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 115 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $37,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Michigan State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $48,967. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $21,755 in student loans.
See the full natural resource management program report for Michigan State University
Marist College placed #10 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Marist College awarded about 14 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $60,521 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resource management details for Marist College
Central Michigan University earned the #11 position for natural resource management this year. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $50,688 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Central Michigan University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 26 natural resource management degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $59,622 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resource management program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #13 position for natural resource management this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 62 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $30,362 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,815.
See the full natural resource management program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Green River Community College landed the #14 spot for natural resource management this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Green River Community College awarded about 14 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full natural resource management program report for Green River Community College
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 66 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $35,019 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Ohio State University Main Campus
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry in the most recent data year.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #17 spot for natural resource management this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 43 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $36,040 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,275.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Miami ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 85 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Miami earn around $41,886 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Miami
University Of Rhode Island came in at #19 for natural resource management this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $49,527 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of Rhode Island
West Virginia University landed the #20 spot for natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 21 natural resource management degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Natural Resource Management graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $47,232 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resource management program at West Virginia University
Angelo State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. This large public university is located in the city of San Angelo. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Angelo State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Angelo State University earn around $46,134 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Angelo State University
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 33 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,589 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,029.
See the full natural resource management program report for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Loyola University Chicago earned the #23 position for natural resource management this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 22 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resource management 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.
Get the full natural resource management details for Loyola University Chicago
Auburn University earned the #24 position for natural resource management this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 33 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Auburn University
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #25 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point awarded about 105 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans.
See the full natural resource management program report for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resource Management Schools
These schools also placed among the best for natural resource management this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 57 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).
