2026 Best Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Natural Resources Management & Policy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resources management & policy students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Best Schools for Natural Resources Management & Policy in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources management & policy education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Natural Resources Management & Policy

1

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

24 Natural Resources Management & Policy Degrees Awarded

$35,019 Median Starting Salary

Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best natural resources management & policy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 24 natural resources management & policy degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources management & policy degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $35,019 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources management & policy from Ohio State University Main Campus

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

50 Natural Resources Management & Policy Degrees Awarded

$40,553 Median Starting Salary

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources management & policy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point awarded about 50 natural resources management & policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources management & policy program make about $40,553 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans. Get the full natural resources management & policy details for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.