Outdoor Education 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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best outdoor education schools.
The outdoor education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Outdoor Education rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Outdoor Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Western Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in outdoor education. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the outdoor education program make about $44,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,174.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Western Carolina University
Students looking for a strong outdoor education program will find one at Fort Lewis College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Fort Lewis College graduates 36% of students within six years. About 17 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Fort Lewis College in the most recent year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Fort Lewis College earn around $25,514 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete this degree.
Read more about the outdoor education program at Fort Lewis College
A rank of #3 makes Central Michigan University one of the top schools for outdoor education. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 10 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Outdoor Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,857.
Read more about the outdoor education program at Central Michigan University
Young Harris College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in outdoor education, ranking #4. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. Young Harris College graduates 42% of students within six years. About 10 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Young Harris College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $24,689.
Get the full outdoor education details for Young Harris College
A rank of #5 makes Prescott College one of the top schools for outdoor education. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Prescott. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Prescott College awarded about 13 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Prescott College earn around $42,966 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,230 to complete this degree.
Get the full outdoor education details for Prescott College
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 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).
