by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Resources Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a natural resources conservation degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools.
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If you want to know which schools send natural resources conservation graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid natural resources conservation graduates in the The Plains States Region. Kirkwood Community College is a public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of about $50,890 a year early in their careers.
Webster University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in natural resources conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from Webster University make a median of around $89,758 per year.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of about $60,265 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in natural resources conservation will find them at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of about $58,276 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the highest-paying schools for natural resources conservation. Saint Cloud State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University typically earn about $53,507 annually.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #6 for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Students who complete the natural resources conservation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,016.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #7 for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a public institution. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College typically earn about $45,466 annually.
Iowa State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for natural resources conservation. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from Iowa State University make a median of around $58,849 per year.
Kansas State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Kansas State University typically earn about $44,486 annually.
Saint Johns University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Saint Johns University typically earn about $44,047 annually.
University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #11 position for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston typically earn about $52,714 annually.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth typically earn about $58,406 annually.
Upper Iowa University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the natural resources conservation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,875.
University Of Iowa landed the #14 spot for natural resources conservation salaries this year. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $50,387 annually.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #15 spot for natural resources conservation salaries this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from University Of Nebraska At Omaha make a median of around $54,330 per year.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #16 for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students who complete the natural resources conservation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,460.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #17 position for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Students who complete the natural resources conservation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,722.
Bemidji State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for natural resources conservation. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public institution. After graduating, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Bemidji State University typically earn about $39,195 annually.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #19 spot for natural resources conservation salaries this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from University Of Missouri Columbia make a median of around $47,564 per year.
University Of Kansas landed the #20 spot for natural resources conservation salaries this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from University Of Kansas make a median of around $34,374 per year.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying natural resources conservation schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from University Of St Thomas Minnesota make a median of around $30,520 per year.
St Olaf College came in at #22 for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of about $29,921 a year early in their careers.
Macalester College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for natural resources conservation. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates from Macalester College make a median of around $29,559 per year.
Luther College came in at #24 for natural resources conservation graduate earnings this year. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Students who complete the natural resources conservation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,239.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their natural resources conservation graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 24 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.