Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 509 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.
Choosing a Great Natural Resources & Conservation School
The natural resources & conservation program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Natural Resources & Conservation 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 Resources & Conservation 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 Resources & Conservation Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the natural resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Northwestern University tops our 2027 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 21 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Northwestern University
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Chicago
A rank of #3 makes Duke University one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 231 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Duke University earn around $49,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Duke University
Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 41 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $68,303 in their early career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Washington University In St Louis
A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Stanford University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $57,819 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Johns Hopkins University placed #7 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 13 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $84,850 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Johns Hopkins University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 127 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $64,831. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Pennsylvania
Boston University came in at #9 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 30 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Boston University earn around $63,598 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Boston University
University Of Southern California placed #10 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,160.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Southern California
University Of California Berkeley placed #11 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 621 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $61,502. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $12,988 in student loans.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California San Diego placed #12 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 68 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $37,524 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of California San Diego
Harvard University placed #13 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 168 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Harvard University earn around $72,276 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Harvard University
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 125 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $31,944 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 11 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $83,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Yale University landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 217 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Yale University earn a median of $54,447 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Yale University
University Of Dayton earned the #17 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 28 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,077 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Dayton
Texas Christian University placed #18 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 23 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Texas Christian University
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #19 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 106 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $51,264 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $13,952 in student loans.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of California Davis earned the #20 position for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 416 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $38,832. Students borrow a median of $15,218 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of California Davis
Boston College placed #21 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 37 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Boston College earn a median of $49,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,200.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Boston College
Tufts University came in at #22 for natural resources & conservation this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 49 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $40,044 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,050.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Tufts University
University Of Notre Dame placed #23 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 14 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $69,494 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,625.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Notre Dame
Loyola Marymount University placed #24 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 39 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Loyola Marymount University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 63 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $41,152. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $19,699 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resources & conservation ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 509 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).
