by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 88 U.S. colleges awarded 2,547 degrees and certificates in Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 57 schools in its 2027 Best Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & 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.
Studying Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management involves the study of Wildlife, Fish And Wildlands Science And Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Conserve And Manage Wilderness Areas And The Flora, Marine And Aquatic Life Therein, And Manage Wildlife Reservations And Zoological/aquarium Facilities For Recreational, Commercial, And Ecological Purposes. Includes Instruction In Wildlife Biology, Marine/aquatic Biology, Environmental Science, Freshwater And Saltwater Ecosystems, Natural Resources Management And Policy, Outdoor Recreation And Parks Management, The Design And Operation Of Natural And Artificial Wildlife Habitats, Applicable Law And Regulations, And Related Administrative And Communications Skills.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management is a widely-pursued major, with 2,547 degrees awarded annually. 88 colleges award wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & 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, fish & wildl&s science & 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, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools ranking, including 6 for associate degrees, 44 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools within 31 states. In all, 88 colleges offer wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,907 of the 2,547 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & 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, fish & wildl&s science & 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, Fish & Wildl&s Science & 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 Forest Technology Professor, Wildlife Conservation Professor, University Faculty Member and Range and Road Instructor.
The occupation related to wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & 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, Fish & Wildl&s Science & 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, fish & wildl&s science & 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
