by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Range Science & Management explores Range Science And Management. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Rangelands, Arid Regions, Grasslands, And Other Areas Of Low Productivity, As Well As The Principles Of Managing Such Resources For Maximum Benefit And Environmental Balance. Includes Instruction In Livestock Management, Wildlife Biology, Plant Sciences, Ecology, Soil Science, And Hydrology. Continue reading for the essential details every range science & management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering range science & management programs.
Across the country, range science & management is a widely-pursued major, with 153 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Range Science & Management Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for range science & management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of range science & management programs later in this article.
Studies in Range Science & Management develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations range science & management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a range science & management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a range science & management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several range science & management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 22 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 85 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 38 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to range science & management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 40.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in range science & management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in range science & management opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to range science & management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to range science & management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of range science & management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,321 |
| 4 years | $49,331 |
| 5 years | $56,395 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for range science & management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers range science & management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $93,823 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
With 18 different range science & management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased range science & management school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in range science & management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 1,201 |
| Horticultural Science | 903 |
| Plant Sciences, General | 692 |
| Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | 166 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 107 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
