by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Conservation Biology covers Conservation Biology. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of The Biological Sciences To The Specific Problems Of Biodiversity, Species Preservation, Ecological Sustainability, And Habitat Fragmentation In The Face Of Advancing Human Social, Economic, And Industrial Pressures. Includes Instruction In Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Systems, Extinction Theory, Human-Animal And Human-Plant Interaction, Ecosystem Science And Management, Wetland Conservation, Field Biology, Forest And Wildlife Biology, And Natural History. Continue reading for the essential details every conservation biology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering conservation biology programs.
Across the country, conservation biology draws strong interest, with 592 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Conservation Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 41 schools to determine the best overall colleges for conservation biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of conservation biology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Conservation Biology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations conservation biology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a conservation biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a conservation biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several conservation biology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 322 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 259 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to conservation biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 27.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 23.4% |
| Master’s degree | 18.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in conservation biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in conservation biology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to conservation biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to conservation biology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 287,657 | 10.6% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of conservation biology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,645 |
| 4 years | $55,280 |
| 5 years | $64,232 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for conservation biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers conservation biology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 41 different conservation biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased conservation biology school rankings to help you.
Those considering conservation biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Epidemiology | 3,053 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 2,375 |
| Ecology | 1,201 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 840 |
| Environmental Biology | 449 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other | 311 |
| Evolutionary Biology | 176 |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 151 |
| Aquatic Biology/Limnology | 119 |
| Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
