by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 88 U.S. colleges awarded 2,547 degrees and certificates in Wildlife Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 57 schools in its 2027 Best Wildlife Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,560 one year after completing, rising to $45,067 after four years.
For those passionate about the preservation of natural resources and habitats, Wildlife Management is an obvious choice for a career and field of study. Wildlife Management majors learn everything from conservation of natural resources to the preservation of animal habitats to wildlife disease, so they may work closely with public officials to create policies and management plans. The major teaches how to identify and solve the many possible issues related to wildlife. This is a science based major and requires classes in biology, anatomy, ecology, and other animal sciences.
Studying Wildlife Management covers Wildlife And Wildlands Science And Management.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., wildlife management draws strong interest, with 2,547 degrees awarded annually. 88 colleges award wildlife management degrees, an average of 29 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 170.
By level, the 2,547 awards include 11 certificates, 173 associate degrees, 1,907 bachelor’s degrees, 415 master’s degrees and 41 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of wildlife management degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,429 of 2,547). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,013) and Hispanic or Latino (275), and international students earned 24.
College Factual ranks 57 schools in its 2027 Best Wildlife Management Schools ranking, including 6 for associate degrees, 44 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks wildlife management schools within 31 states. In all, 88 colleges offer wildlife management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Wildlife Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common wildlife management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,907 of the 2,547 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to wildlife management call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Biology and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Critical thinking, observation, and problem solving skills are important for a career in wildlife management. You must be able to analyze animal behaviors and appearance, conduct experiments, and decide the best course of action for solving problems related to wildlife. Strong interpersonal and writing skills are also important for proper communication between other wildlife specialists, scientists, and the public. Findings will often be written in a report, paper, or article, making writing an important skill.
Wildlife Management professionals will normally enjoy a regular schedule, occasionally needing to put in irregular or longer hours. When conducting fieldwork they may find themselves out of the office and working round-the-clock to complete a project.
To get involved in wildlife management, you should try to gain experience through an internship or summer job. Some organizations that would provide excellent experience are the National Park Service or nonprofit group like The Sierra Club.
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How long a wildlife management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 173 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,907 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 415 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 41 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to wildlife management, at 36.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 17.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Wildlife Management, with an average median salary of $70,681; the strongest outlook belongs to Conservation Scientists, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Natural Resources Professor, Range and Road Instructor, Forest Pathology Teacher and Wildlife Conservation Professor.
Depending on the type of job, work environment for Wildlife Management graduates vary. Some work in offices, labs, or outdoors conducting fieldwork. The majority of graduates are employed by state or federal governments or by privately owned companies. Since this major equips graduates with the skills to assess how changes can affect wildlife, some people may be hired by contracting companies or builders concerned with decreasing their environmental impact.
Those with master's degrees will have an easier time finding jobs in their field and are more likely to advance quicker. If you are interested in independent research, you must have a Ph.D.The occupation related to wildlife management with the most projected jobs is Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 497,622.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
Wildlife Management graduates earn a median $29,560 one year after completing their program, $45,067 after four years and $44,355 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,560 |
| 4 years | $45,067 |
| 5 years | $44,355 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to wildlife management, with a median salary of $81,436.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $55,554 |
Wildlife Management includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management (2,547). It has 5 similar majors in the Natural Resources & Conservation field, which together award 31,442 degrees a year; the largest are Natural Resources Conservation and Research (25,253), Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (3,145) and Forestry (2,495). Browse all Natural Resources & Conservation majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,547 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 25,253 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,145 |
| Forestry | 2,495 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 427 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 122 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
