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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Conservation Biology Master’s Degree Schools

3 Colleges in the United States
219 Conservation Biology Degrees Awarded
$60,704 Avg Early-Career Salary

Conservation Biology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best conservation biology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Conservation Biology in the United States

Below are the best conservation biology schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Conservation Biology

1

Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in conservation biology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 13 conservation biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the conservation biology program make about $78,660 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read more about the conservation biology program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

2
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Students looking for a strong conservation biology program will find one at Tufts University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 20 conservation biology degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Conservation Biology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $55,795 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. More information about a degree in conservation biology from Tufts University

3
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong conservation biology program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 17 conservation biology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Conservation Biology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $70,479 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the conservation biology program at Boston University

4

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in conservation biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry awarded about 21 conservation biology degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in conservation biology from Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry

5
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in conservation biology, ranking #5. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. There were roughly 122 conservation biology students who graduated with this degree at Unity College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the conservation biology program make about $36,144 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete this degree. Get the full conservation biology details for Unity College

6

University Of West Alabama landed the #6 spot for conservation biology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Livingston. University Of West Alabama graduates 28% of students within six years. University Of West Alabama awarded about 16 conservation biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their conservation biology degree from University Of West Alabama earn around $53,270 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete this degree. Read more about the conservation biology program at University Of West Alabama

7

Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best conservation biology schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 conservation biology degrees were awarded at Florida Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their conservation biology degree from Florida Institute Of Technology earn around $69,878 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,114. See the full conservation biology program report for Florida Institute Of Technology

Other Conservation Biology Degree Levels

Explore the best conservation biology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Conservation Biology
Associate's Degrees in Conservation Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Conservation Biology
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View All Conservation Biology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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