2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western Region
Natural Resources & Conservation is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 190 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Far Western Region
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.
Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation
University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 74 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $10,160 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Southern California
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Stanford University
Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $37,524 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California San Diego
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 130 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $31,944 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #5. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 515 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $61,502 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $12,988 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 394 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $38,776. Students borrow a median of $15,218 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of California Davis
San Jose State University placed #7 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 62 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Loyola Marymount University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 26 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 413 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $44,399. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $16,533 in student loans.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of California Santa Barbara
Chapman University came in at #10 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 14 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $50,947 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Chapman University
San Diego State University placed #11 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 96 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $34,090 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,191.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at San Diego State University
California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 53 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $33,870. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $13,575 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for California State University Long Beach
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #13 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 194 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $40,445 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $18,676 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Irvine earned the #14 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $36,304 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of California Irvine
California State University East Bay came in at #15 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 32 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $38,876. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from California State University East Bay
Claremont Mckenna College earned the #16 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 16 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Claremont Mckenna College
California State University Fullerton landed the #17 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 12 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $62,270 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from California State University Fullerton
Santa Clara University landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 31 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $42,576. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Pomona College came in at #19 for natural resources & conservation this year. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 19 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954.
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Sonoma State University came in at #20 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 21 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Sonoma State University earn around $40,759 in the first couple years of their career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $15,856 in student loans.
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University Of California Riverside ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,521 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,157.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of California Riverside
California State University San Marcos came in at #22 for natural resources & conservation this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 42 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $37,364 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at California State University San Marcos
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 171 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $29,152. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
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California State University Sacramento landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 73 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,308. Students borrow a median of $22,100 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from California State University Sacramento
Scripps College placed #25 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Scripps College
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resources & conservation ranking:
Honorable Mentions
A few more natural resources & conservation schools worth a look:
Narrow Natural Resources & Conservation Schools by State
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 190 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
