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2021 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

168 Colleges
21,739 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,286 Avg Cost*

Finding the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for Non-Traditional Students

Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges for Non-Traditional StudentsNatural Resources & Conservation is the #23rd most popular major in the country with 21,739 bachelor's degrees awarded in <nil>.

This year's Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges for Non-Traditional Students ranking looked at 168 colleges that offer a bachelor's in natural resources & conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources & conservation programs as well as strong support for students classified as non-traditional.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the natural resources & conservation program at the school, affordability, and presence of non-traditional students. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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The natural resources & conservation school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for Non-Traditional Students.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

2021 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for Non-Traditional Students in the United States

The following schools top our list of the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges for Non-Traditional Students.

Top 25 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for Non-Traditional Students

1
Unity crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College tops the 2021 list of our schools in the United States that are best for non-traditional natural resources & conservation students. Located in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. Unity also took the #1 spot in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation rankings.

About 2.6% of Unity students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 2,366 students at Unity are exclusively online. 261 of Unity students are attending part time.

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2

Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science comes in at #2 in this year's ranking. Paul Smith's College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paul Smiths. As a testament to the quality of education offered at Paul Smith's College, the school also landed the #5 rank in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation ranking.

About 2.8% of Paul Smith’s College students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 216 students at Paul Smith’s College that take at least one class online. There are roughly 30 part time students in attendance at Paul Smith’s College.

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3
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University landed the #3 spot in our 2021 best natural resources & conservation schools for non-traditional students. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a public school with a small student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Lake Superior State University is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list.

The student loan default rate at Lake Superior State University is lower than is typical, just 1.3% of students default in three years. There are approximately 638 students at Lake Superior State University that take at least one class online. About 406 of the students at Lake Superior State University are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Lake Superior State University

4

Our rankings recognize SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as the #4 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Syracuse, ESF is a public school with a small student population. ESF also took the #2 spot in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation rankings.

The student loan default rate at ESF is lower than is typical, just 0.8% of students default in three years. There are approximately 275 students at ESF that take at least one class online. About 542 of the students at ESF are attending part time.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Report

5

Our rankings recognize Texas A&M University - College Station as the #5 school in this year's rankings. Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #3 on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.6%. There are approximately 24,343 students at Texas A&M College Station that take at least one class online. 9,943 students are part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas A&M University - College Station

6

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point comes in at #6 in this year's ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, UW - Stevens Point also did well on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

About 2.2% of UW - Stevens Point students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 3,974 students take at least one class online at UW - Stevens Point. There are roughly 1,555 part time students in attendance at UW - Stevens Point.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

7

Oregon State University earned the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State is a public school with a very large student population. As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oregon State, the school also landed the #7 rank in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation ranking.

The student loan default rate at Oregon State is lower than is typical, just 0.7% of students default in three years. 10,888 of Oregon State students are exclusively distance learners. About 10,920 of the students at Oregon State are attending part time.

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8

Our rankings recognize North Carolina State University as the #8 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public college with a very large student population. NC State not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #4 on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.0%. Approximately 14,604 students take at least one class online at NC State. 7,732 students are part time.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at North Carolina State University Report

9
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University of Florida earned the #9 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public college with a fairly large student population. As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #8 rank in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.9%. Approximately 22,865 students take at least one class online at UF. 11,205 of UF students are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Florida

10
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of East Lansing. In addition to being on our best for non-traditional students list, Michigan State has also earned the #9 rank in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.8%. There are approximately 33,526 students at Michigan State that take at least one class online. 6,517 students are part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Michigan State University

11

The #11 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Maine. UMaine is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Orono. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, UMaine also did well on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.7%. There are approximately 5,820 students at UMaine that take at least one class online. 3,614 of UMaine students are attending part time.

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12

University of California - Berkeley earned the #12 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public college with a very large student population. In addition to being on our best for non-traditional students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #6 rank in our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.5%. There are approximately 26,398 students at UC Berkeley that take at least one class online. There are roughly 4,099 part time students in attendance at UC Berkeley.

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13
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech comes in at #13 in this year's ranking. Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the small city of Blacksburg. Virginia Tech also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.5%. There are approximately 19,796 students at Virginia Tech that take at least one class online. 2,831 of Virginia Tech students are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Virginia Tech

14

West Virginia University earned the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings. WVU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Morgantown. WVU also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 2.9%. Approximately 11,100 students take at least one class online at WVU. 3,190 of WVU students are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at West Virginia University

15

Our rankings recognize South Dakota State University as the #15 school in this year's rankings. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a fairly large student population. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, South Dakota State also did well on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The student loan default rate at South Dakota State is lower than is typical, just 0.7% of students default in three years. There are approximately 3,503 students at South Dakota State that take at least one class online. 3,375 of South Dakota State students are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at South Dakota State University

16

The #16 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Humboldt State University. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata.

About 2.9% of Humboldt State University students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 3,740 students at Humboldt State University that take at least one class online. About 853 of the students at Humboldt State University are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Humboldt State University

17

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus earned the #17 spot in our 2021 rankings. Penn State University Park is a fairly large public school located in the small city of University Park. Penn State University Park also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.0%. All of Penn State University Park students are attending part time.

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18

The #18 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Stephen F Austin State University. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, SFASU is a public school with a large student population.

The student loan default rate at SFASU is lower than is typical, just 2.1% of students default in three years. Approximately 6,979 students take at least one class online at SFASU. There are roughly 3,007 part time students in attendance at SFASU.

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19

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville earned the #19 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public school with a fairly large student population. UT Knoxville excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list.

The student loan default rate at UT Knoxville is lower than is typical, just 1.1% of students default in three years. There are approximately 12,626 students at UT Knoxville that take at least one class online. 3,889 students are part time.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Report

20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #20 spot in our 2021 best natural resources & conservation schools for non-traditional students. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, UMN Twin Cities is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.6%. There are approximately 21,237 students at UMN Twin Cities that take at least one class online. 13,655 of UMN Twin Cities students are attending part time.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

21
UVM crest
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT

The #21 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Vermont. Located in the small city of Burlington, UVM is a public school with a fairly large student population. UVM also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

The student loan default rate at UVM is lower than is typical, just 0.6% of students default in three years. Approximately 3,390 students take at least one class online at UVM. 1,286 students are part time.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Vermont Report

22

Our rankings recognize University of California - Davis as the #22 school in this year's rankings. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public school with a fairly large student population. UC Davis also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

The student loan default rate at UC Davis is lower than is typical, just 0.9% of students default in three years. Approximately 7,892 students take at least one class online at UC Davis. There are roughly 1,668 part time students in attendance at UC Davis.

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23

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #23 spot in our 2021 best natural resources & conservation schools for non-traditional students. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a fairly large student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, UW - Madison is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.2%. There are approximately 11,375 students at UW - Madison that take at least one class online. About 4,683 of the students at UW - Madison are attending part time.

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24

The #24 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of New Hampshire - Main Campus. UNH is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Durham. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, UNH also did well on our Best Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation list. It's in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.0%. There are approximately 3,625 students at UNH that take at least one class online. 1,355 students are part time.

Read More…

25

Our rankings recognize The University of Montana as the #25 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Missoula, UM is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The student loan default rate at UM is lower than is typical, just 3.0% of students default in three years. There are approximately 2,583 students at UM that take at least one class online. There are roughly 3,141 part time students in attendance at UM.

Read More…

Rest of the Top Schools for Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges for Non-Traditional Students award.

Rank College Location
26 University of Georgia Athens, GA
27 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
28 Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA
29 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI
30 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
31 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
32 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
33 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO

Natural Resources & Conservation by Region

View the best for non-traditional students Natural Resources & Conservation colleges in a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

Natural Resources & Conservation Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates

View All Natural Resources & Conservation Related Majors >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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