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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
146 Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Degrees Awarded
$48,602 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their natural resource recreation & tourism programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resource recreation & tourism students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism School

Best Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools

The school you choose for natural resource recreation & tourism can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism rankings. For our Best Overall Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism
Bachelor's Degrees in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism
Master's Degrees in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism
Doctoral Degrees in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism 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.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resource recreation & tourism education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism

1
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Our analysis ranked Auburn University the best school in the country for a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 natural resource recreation & tourism students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource recreation & tourism program make about $55,422 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Get the full natural resource recreation & tourism details for Auburn University

2

Students looking for a strong natural resource recreation & tourism program will find one at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #2. This large public university is located in the town of Laramie. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 17 natural resource recreation & tourism degrees were awarded at University Of Wyoming in the most recent year. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resource recreation & tourism program at University Of Wyoming

3
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource recreation & tourism schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of Vermont awarded about 18 natural resource recreation & tourism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource recreation & tourism program make about $44,588 in their early career. University Of Vermont graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Get the full natural resource recreation & tourism details for University Of Vermont

4

Arizona State University Skysong is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 19 natural resource recreation & tourism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource recreation & tourism degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $55,793 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,742. More information about a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism from Arizona State University Skysong

5

Colorado State University Fort Collins is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism, ranking #5. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 natural resource recreation & tourism students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource recreation & tourism program make about $43,262 in their early career. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism from Colorado State University Fort Collins

6

The University Of Montana ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource recreation & tourism schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 19 natural resource recreation & tourism degrees were awarded at The University Of Montana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. The University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism from The University Of Montana

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Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism by Region

Explore the best natural resource recreation & tourism schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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View All Rankings >

Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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