2027 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their natural resources & conservation programs.
College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools.
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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources & conservation education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
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University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 46 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Dayton one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 28 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent 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.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $69,494 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,625 to complete this degree.
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Marquette University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $60,443 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete this degree.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 357 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $44,256 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,577 to complete this degree.
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Illinois State University earned the #7 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 19 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Illinois State University earn around $49,660 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,896.
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Xavier University came in at #8 for natural resources & conservation this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree.
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Indiana University Bloomington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 143 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $41,918 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 450 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $41,040 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #11 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 21 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,998 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans.
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Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 123 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $43,516 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,559 in student loans.
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Ohio Northern University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Ohio Northern University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Ohio Northern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,878 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete this degree.
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North Central College came in at #14 for natural resources & conservation this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Central College awarded about 13 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from North Central College earn around $46,247 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699.
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Fox Valley Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 20 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $32,996 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,846 to complete this degree.
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Wheaton College Illinois came in at #16 for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 12 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292.
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Denison University earned the #17 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Granville. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Denison University awarded about 24 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $36,236 in their early career. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #18 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 116 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
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Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 26 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $45,196 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,998 in student loans.
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Kenyon College came in at #20 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,114.
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Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 273 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $36,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,083 to complete this degree.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 21 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $54,302 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The College Of Wooster landed the #23 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wooster. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Wooster in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,936.
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Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Wooster. There were roughly 11 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn around $34,898 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $12,286 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
Albion College came in at #25 for natural resources & conservation this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Albion. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 17 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Albion College in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resources & conservation ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 71 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.