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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Natural Resource Management Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

6 Colleges in the United States
503 Natural Resource Management Degrees Awarded
$49,801 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resource Management programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best natural resource management schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Natural Resource Management in the Rocky Mountains Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the natural resource management degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Natural Resource Management

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Denver the best school in the country for a degree in natural resource management. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $69,861 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resource management details for University Of Denver

2

University Of Wyoming is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resource management, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the town of Laramie. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wyoming in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Get the full natural resource management details for University Of Wyoming

3
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

A rank of #3 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the top schools for natural resource management. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Roughly 14% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Colorado Mountain College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resource management degree from Colorado Mountain College earn around $48,694 in the first couple years of their career. Colorado Mountain College graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Get the full natural resource management details for Colorado Mountain College

4

Students looking for a strong natural resource management program will find one at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Collins. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 164 natural resource management students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data 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

5

Students looking for a strong natural resource management program will find one at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates 31% of students within six years. About 16 natural resource management degrees were awarded at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent year. Natural Resource Management graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resource management from Metropolitan State College Of Denver

6

Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #6 among the best natural resource management schools. Set in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public institution. Colorado Northwestern Community College awarded about 25 natural resource management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resource management program make about $56,978 in their early career. Colorado Northwestern Community College graduates carry a median of $18,127 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resource management from Colorado Northwestern Community College

7

University Of Idaho came in at #7 for natural resource management this year. This large public university is located in the town of Moscow. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 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 $42,204 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the natural resource management program at University Of Idaho

8

The University Of Montana ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best natural resource management schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 19 natural resource management degrees were awarded at The University Of Montana in the most recent year. Natural Resource Management graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. The University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. See the full natural resource management program report for The University Of Montana

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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 · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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