by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 39 U.S. colleges awarded 229 degrees and certificates in Outdoor Education. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 54% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Outdoor Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $21,413 one year after completing, rising to $37,014 after four years.
Do you have a passion for the outdoors? If you love being surrounded by nature and teaching others about it, you might be a good fit for a major in Outdoor Education.
Outdoor Education majors learn the skills to teach others about the outdoors, act as guides for hikes and other activities, and lead courses in wilderness survival. Classes in topics such as environmental studies, first aid, survival skills, and outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, ropes courses, and backpacking prepare students for a successful career working with and teaching others about the great outdoors.
A degree in Outdoor Education involves the study of Outdoor Education.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, outdoor education draws strong interest, with 229 degrees awarded annually. 39 colleges award outdoor education degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 17.
By level, the 229 awards include 18 certificates, 34 associate degrees, 124 bachelor’s degrees and 53 master’s degrees.
Women earned 50% of outdoor education degrees and certificates in the latest year (114 of 229). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (191) and Hispanic or Latino (13), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Outdoor Education Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks outdoor education schools within 2 states. In all, 39 colleges offer outdoor education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Outdoor Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common outdoor education credential is the bachelor’s degree: 124 of the 229 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to outdoor education call most for Coordination, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Public Safety and Security and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
A majority of your career will be spent working with others making strong communication and interpersonal skills very important. Whether you're teaching classes, giving nature tours, or leading hiking adventures, you must be courteous with customers and provide excellent customer service. Students who excel in this field often have a background in environmental studies and previous experience working in the outdoors.
A career in Outdoor Education can be either part time or full time depending on where you're hired. Some parks have a busy season requiring more staff while other places require year round staff. Location and your level of experience and education will play a role in what type of job you're hired for.
To gain experience in this field, it is recommended you find a summer job or internship with a campsite, outdoor adventure company, the National Park Service, or another organization within the Outdoor Education field.
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How long an outdoor education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 34 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 124 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 53 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to outdoor education, at 62.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 62.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Master’s degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Outdoor Education, with an average median salary of $31,816; the strongest outlook belongs to First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services, at 8.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Park Recreation Manager, Parks Recreation Director, Parks Recreation Coordinator and Recreation Coordinator.
A degree in Outdoor Education gives graduates the opportunity to work outdoors in a variety of jobs. Some graduates have decided to become park rangers, teach outdoor survival courses, lead hiking and backpacking trips, and work for kayaking and canoeing companies. Since you will have an advanced knowledge of the outdoors, you will be able to find a job in any outdoor related industry. This occupation is growing at an average rate, meaning most students should be able to find a job after graduation in their area. Those who are willing to relocate will have a better chance finding work.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to outdoor education, at 443,431.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | 443,431 | 8.4% |
| Recreation Workers | 73,096 | -2.5% |
Outdoor Education graduates earn a median $21,413 one year after completing their program, $37,014 after four years and $47,445 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $21,413 |
| 4 years | $37,014 |
| 5 years | $47,445 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to outdoor education is Recreation Workers, with a median salary of $41,302.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation Workers | $41,302 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $22,330 |
Outdoor Education includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Outdoor Education (229). It has 4 similar majors in the Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness field, which together award 72,952 degrees a year; the largest are Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (68,170), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (2,358) and Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (2,266). Browse all Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Education | 229 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 68,170 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2,358 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,266 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 158 |
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