Natural Resource Management is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their natural resource management programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 196 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resource management students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Natural Resource Management School
Where you study natural resource management matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Natural Resource Management Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Natural Resource Management School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Natural Resource Management Rankings by Degree Level
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 Management Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for natural resource management. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 39 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
See the full natural resource management program report for University Of Chicago
Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 54 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full natural resource management program report for Harvard University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resource management, ranking #3. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 148 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $71,291 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Connecticut came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource management schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $58,784 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Connecticut
Students looking for a strong natural resource management program will find one at Wake Forest University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Wake Forest University
Michigan State University placed #6 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $48,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,755.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Michigan State University
Marist College placed #7 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. Marist College awarded about 11 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $60,521 in their early career. Marist College graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans.
Get the full natural resource management details for Marist College
University Of Denver landed the #8 spot for natural resource management this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Denver awarded about 185 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Denver earn around $69,861 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
See the full natural resource management program report for University Of Denver
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #9 position for natural resource management this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 10 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of Maryland College Park
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #10 among the best natural resource management schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 136 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $37,126 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resource management program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Auburn University landed the #11 spot for natural resource management this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 43 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Auburn University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #12 for natural resource management this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 35 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $59,622 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resource management program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #13 position for natural resource management this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #14 for natural resource management this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry in the most recent data year.
See the full natural resource management program report for Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
Green River Community College came in at #15 for natural resource management this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. There were roughly 14 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year.
Get the full natural resource management details for Green River Community College
Texas A And M University College Station placed #16 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 43 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $30,362 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,815.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Texas A And M University College Station
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best natural resource management schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 68 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,019. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full natural resource management details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #18 among the best natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 42 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,589 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,029.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Texas Tech University placed #19 among the best natural resource management schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 14 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $50,332 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Texas Tech University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #20 for natural resource management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $32,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
California State University Bakersfield came in at #21 for natural resource management this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bakersfield. California State University Bakersfield graduates 50% of students within six years. California State University Bakersfield awarded about 10 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full natural resource management program report for California State University Bakersfield
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #22 among the best natural resource management schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $36,040 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,275.
Read more about the natural resource management program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Rhode Island earned the #23 position for natural resource management this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $49,527. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Rhode Island
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource management schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. About 87 natural resource management degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $40,553 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of Georgia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 24 natural resource management degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Georgia
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resource Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resource management ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 196 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).
