by our College Data Analytics Team
[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their wildlife management graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find where wildlife management graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send wildlife management graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee, our #1 for wildlife management graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Early-career wildlife management graduates from The University Of Tennessee make a median of around $50,817 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Mississippi State University one of the highest-paying schools for wildlife management. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Wildlife Management graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of about $50,619 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Auburn University earned it the #3 place for wildlife management. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Early-career wildlife management graduates from Auburn University make a median of around $52,409 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in wildlife management will find them at Arkansas Tech University, which ranked #4. Arkansas Tech University is a public school located in the town of Russellville. Early-career wildlife management graduates from Arkansas Tech University make a median of around $48,923 per year.
Tennessee Technological University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in wildlife management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Early-career wildlife management graduates from Tennessee Technological University make a median of around $46,021 per year.
West Virginia University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying wildlife management schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. After graduating, wildlife management degree recipients from West Virginia University typically earn about $45,964 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying wildlife management schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. After graduating, wildlife management degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $45,136 annually.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #8 for wildlife management graduate earnings this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a public school located in the town of Richmond. After graduating, wildlife management degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University typically earn about $44,672 annually.
University Of Georgia earned the #9 position for wildlife management graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. After graduating, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Georgia typically earn about $43,583 annually.
University Of Florida placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for wildlife management. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $39,946 annually.
Murray State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for wildlife management. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a public institution. Early-career wildlife management graduates from Murray State University make a median of around $28,751 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries wildlife management graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.