2026 Best Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management
South Dakota State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 20 wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree from South Dakota State University earn around $39,483 in the first couple years of their career. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $24,798 in student loans.
Get the full wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management details for South Dakota State University
Students looking for a strong wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program will find one at Valley City State University, which ranked #2. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees were awarded at Valley City State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program make about $44,253 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management from Valley City State University
Bemidji State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 24 wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees in the most recent data year. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $35,806 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,301.
See the full wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program report for Bemidji State University
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hibbing. About 21 wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees were awarded at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn around $44,387 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Students looking for a strong wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program will find one at Northwest Missouri State University, which ranked #5. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans.
More information about a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management from Northwest Missouri State University
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. About 26 wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $26,549 early in their careers. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans.
Read more about the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program at Missouri State University Springfield
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 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.
