2027 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources & conservation education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent 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
Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 23 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Texas Christian University
Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at Trinity University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 19 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Trinity University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Trinity University earn a median of $57,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,314.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Trinity University
Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 251 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $32,439 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,846.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 186 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $47,728 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,479.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Arizona State University
Sam Houston State University earned the #6 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 21 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $46,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Sam Houston State University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #7 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 61 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $42,057 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #8 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 18 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $67,876. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #9 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. There were roughly 153 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $52,335. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Arizona State University Skysong
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #10 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 43 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $46,404 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,694.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The University Of Texas Pan American
Angelo State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Angelo State University awarded about 15 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $46,134 in their early career. Angelo State University graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Angelo State University
Baylor University placed #12 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Baylor University earn around $31,707 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Baylor University
University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 162 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $30,645 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,483.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Arizona
Austin Community College District placed #14 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. About 13 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $44,895 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Austin Community College District
Northern Arizona University earned the #15 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 303 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $39,241. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,694 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Northern Arizona University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 20 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn around $57,280 in the first couple years of their career. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,385 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 24 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $41,368 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Houston Clear Lake
Tarleton State University came in at #19 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 78 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Tarleton State University
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $33,603. Typical student debt for the program is $16,449.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for New Mexico State University Main Campus
University Of Houston ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Houston
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #22 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $49,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of New Mexico Main Campus
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #23 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates 50% of students within six years. About 30 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $31,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The University Of Texas At El Paso
Mesa Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Mesa Community College
Tulsa Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. About 15 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Tulsa Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $41,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,789.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Tulsa Community College
Rest of the Top 35 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 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.