ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools

18 Colleges in the United States
981 Natural Resource Management Degrees Awarded
$51,433 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resource Management is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

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.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 9
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 03.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Forestry & Conservation (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Forestry & Conservation (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sustainability (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Sustainability (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Sustainability & Environmental Compliance" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Sustainability & Environmental Compliance" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA - Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 5
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 2 offers with relevance >= 0.8

Best Schools for Natural Resource Management in the United States

See the highest-ranked natural resource management schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Natural Resource Management

1

University Of Connecticut tops our 2026 ranking of the best natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,637. Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Connecticut

2

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot this year. 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 100 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $71,291 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. See the full natural resource management program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

3

Students looking for a strong natural resource management program will find one at University Of Denver, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. About 155 natural resource management degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Denver

4

University Of Maryland College Park is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 10 natural resource management degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $57,901 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree. See the full natural resource management program report for University Of Maryland College Park

5

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resource management, ranking #5. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 28 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $30,362 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,815. See the full natural resource management program report for Texas A And M University College Station

6

Texas Tech University landed the #6 spot for natural resource management this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 14 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. See the full natural resource management program report for Texas Tech University

7

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #7 for natural resource management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,524 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. See the full natural resource management program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

8

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #8 spot for natural resource management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 19 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $55,793 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resource management from Arizona State University Skysong

9

University Of Rhode Island came in at #9 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. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full natural resource management details for University Of Rhode Island

10
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #10 for natural resource management this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of Miami awarded about 123 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Miami earn around $41,886 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of Miami

11
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #11 for natural resource management this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 19 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $37,701 in their early career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Get the full natural resource management details for Stony Brook University

12

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #12 among the best natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $49,408 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,835 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of Hawaii At Manoa

13

American Public University System ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource management schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 95 natural resource management degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $57,404 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,438. Get the full natural resource management details for American Public University System

14

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #14 position for natural resource management this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 121 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $43,262. Typical student debt for the program is $22,843. Read more about the natural resource management program at Colorado State University Fort Collins

15

Oregon State University landed the #15 spot for natural resource management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 88 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Oregon State University earn around $57,275 in the first couple years of their career. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $34,429 in student loans. Read more about the natural resource management program at Oregon State University

16

University Of Idaho earned the #16 position for natural resource management this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Idaho in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from University Of Idaho earn around $49,865 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in natural resource management from University Of Idaho

17

East Central University landed the #17 spot for natural resource management this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. East Central University graduates 34% of students within six years. East Central University awarded about 12 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $42,103 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resource management details for East Central University

Other Natural Resource Management Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Natural Resource Management rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Natural Resource Management
Associate's Degrees in Natural Resource Management
Bachelor's Degrees in Natural Resource Management
ADBLOCK #173
View All Natural Resource Management Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options