by our College Data Analytics TeamNatural resources and conservation are hot topics in our society. Many are concerned about the world's quickly depleting resources, whether it is oil, forests or endangered species. If you are passionate about this topic and believe you would like to help make a difference, a major in Natural Resource Conservation is just the beginning.
There are many different majors within the Natural Resources and Conservation field of study. A Natural Resources Management degree will provide the skills to manage how resources are used while majoring in Natural Resource Conservation will teach you how to productively and responsibly use the Earth's resources. If you prefer to work with animals, you can learn about habitat management with a major in Wildlife Management or specialize with a major in Fisheries Sciences. If you believe Natural Resources and Conservation is the field of study for you, any one of these majors will allow you to work in the field you are passionate about.
A degree in Natural Resources & Conservation covers Natural Resources And Conservation. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Various Natural Resources And Conservation Fields And Prepare Individuals For Related Occupations. Read on to learn the key facts every natural resources & conservation major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering natural resources & conservation programs.
Across the country, natural resources & conservation is a popular field of study, with 32,361 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking analyzes these 1,034 schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural resources & conservation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of natural resources & conservation programs later in this article.
Studies in Natural Resources & Conservation build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations natural resources & conservation graduates commonly enter.
Most of the majors within Natural Resources and Conservation are based heavily in sciences making a background in sciences very beneficial. Other essential skills are critical thinking and problem solving. Careers in this field require professionals to analyze different problems related to natural resources or habitats and create solutions. A love for the outdoors and a desire to save habitats is vital for anyone in this field.
Skills developed in a natural resources & conservation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a natural resources & conservation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several natural resources & conservation 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 | 200 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,752 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 22,396 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,327 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 645 |
People currently working in careers related to natural resources & conservation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.0% |
| Master’s degree | 10.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in natural resources & conservation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Depending on your major, there are many possibilities for a career in natural resource conservation. Graduates often work for state or federal government agencies focusing on resource or wildlife conservation. Graduates also have the option to work in labs or perform fieldwork. Depending on your level of education, you may be able to perform your own independent research and publish findings. No matter what type of career you want, there are many opportunities available. Your possibilities are endless.
Studying natural resources & conservation can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to natural resources & conservation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural resources & conservation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | 735,120 | 1.8% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | 674,467 | 10.0% |
| Police Identification and Records Officers | 532,882 | 7.1% |
| Coroners | 499,816 | -4.9% |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 496,968 | 0.7% |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | 492,341 | 8.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of natural resources & conservation graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,987 |
| 4 years | $49,105 |
| 5 years | $56,967 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for natural resources & conservation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers natural resources & conservation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | $119,630 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Coroners | $110,095 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Foresters | $93,406 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | $85,399 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
With 1,034 different natural resources & conservation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased natural resources & conservation school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in natural resources & conservation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23,853 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,090 |
| Forestry | 2,460 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,419 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 407 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 132 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
