2027 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the The Plains States Region
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.
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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources & conservation education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation
Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for natural resources & conservation. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 41 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
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Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #2. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 21 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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Creighton University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #3. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. Creighton University awarded about 10 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $64,369 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
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Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #4. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566.
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A rank of #5 makes Saint Louis University Main Campus one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $65,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete this degree.
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College Of Saint Benedict came in at #6 for natural resources & conservation this year. College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from College Of Saint Benedict generally make around $47,105. Typical student debt for the program is $26,619.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #7 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 243 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $43,215. Students borrow a median of $23,343 to complete this degree.
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University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 138 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $39,291 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,210 to complete this degree.
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University Of Kansas came in at #10 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $34,374. Students borrow a median of $19,282 to complete this degree.
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Kansas State University landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Kansas State University awarded about 25 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Kansas State University earn around $44,373 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,361 to complete this degree.
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University Of Iowa came in at #12 for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 66 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $35,650 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
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Iowa State University placed #13 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 88 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Iowa State University earn around $38,699 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,995.
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Lindenwood University came in at #14 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. Lindenwood University awarded about 13 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete this degree.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #15 position for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 12 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625.
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Webster University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Webster University awarded about 26 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Webster University earn a median of $81,807 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete this degree.
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Macalester College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 19 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $29,559. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 29 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $32,284 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,639.
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Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #19 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. About 23 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Central Lakes College Brainerd in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,479.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #20 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 119 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,514. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
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Bemidji State University came in at #21 for natural resources & conservation this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $38,695 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,900.
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South Dakota State University landed the #22 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Dakota State University awarded about 88 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $39,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,798 to complete this degree.
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University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #23 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 25 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $33,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,894 to complete this degree.
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Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #24 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 84 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn around $45,589 in the first couple years of their career. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans.
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Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $38,024 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Gustavus Adolphus College
Rest of the Top 38 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 · 38 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.
