2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Illinois
Natural Resources & Conservation programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 39 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.
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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources & conservation education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation
Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 16 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Northwestern University
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 74 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Chicago
A rank of #3 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 10 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $49,660 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Illinois State University
Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 110 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $31,369 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 32 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $54,302 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,917.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Loyola University Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 123 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $30,797 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,042 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Loyola University Chicago
Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 27 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $36,409 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Northern Illinois University
Depaul University came in at #8 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 34 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $26,381 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Depaul University
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #9 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 36 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $57,079 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,925.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Illinois At Springfield
Lake Forest College came in at #10 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Lake Forest College graduates 78% of students within six years. Lake Forest College awarded about 16 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $26,998 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Lake Forest College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #11 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 60 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $35,398. Typical student debt for the program is $21,512.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 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.
