2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California
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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resources & conservation students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources & conservation education in California.
Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 33 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Stanford University
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 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. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $31,944. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 74 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $75,677 in their early career. 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 San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. 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 79 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of California San Diego
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 515 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $61,502 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,988.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 394 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of California Davis earn around $38,776 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,218.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of California Davis
Loyola Marymount University placed #7 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. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 26 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Loyola Marymount University
San Jose State University earned the #8 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from San Jose State University
San Diego State University earned the #9 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $34,090. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans.
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University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #10 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 413 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $44,399 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,533.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of California Santa Barbara
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $40,445. Students borrow a median of $18,676 to complete this degree.
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Chapman University landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 14 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Chapman University
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 53 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $33,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,575.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for California State University Long Beach
California State University East Bay landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $38,876 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from California State University East Bay
University Of California Irvine came in at #15 for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. 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. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $12,477 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Irvine
California State University Fullerton earned the #16 position for natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 12 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $62,270 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from California State University Fullerton
Claremont Mckenna College came in at #17 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 16 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Claremont Mckenna College
Pomona College earned the #18 position 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%. About 19 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Pomona College earn around $75,954 in the first couple years of their career.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Pomona College
Santa Clara University placed #19 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 31 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Santa Clara University earn around $42,576 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Santa Clara University
Sonoma State University came in at #20 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 21 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data 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.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Sonoma State University
California State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for natural resources & conservation this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. 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.
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California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $37,308 in their early career. 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
University Of California Riverside ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 58 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $30,521 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,157 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Riverside
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #24 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. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 171 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $29,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
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California State University Northridge landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $48,437 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for California State University Northridge
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong natural resources & conservation education:
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 · 127 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.
