Natural Resources & Conservation 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.
College Factual analyzed 1206 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools.
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Choosing a Great Natural Resources & Conservation School
The school you choose for natural resources & conservation can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Natural Resources & Conservation 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 Resources & Conservation 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.
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for natural resources & conservation. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 16 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Northwestern University
Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 209 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Duke University earn around $52,122 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Duke University
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 74 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Chicago
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 171 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $64,831 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Pennsylvania
Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 32 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Washington University In St Louis
University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 74 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $10,160 in student loans.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Southern California
Stanford University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 33 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Stanford University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #8 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 13 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $84,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Johns Hopkins University
University Of California San Diego came in at #9 for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 79 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $37,524 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of California San Diego
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 130 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $31,944. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Los Angeles
Boston University placed #11 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 31 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Boston University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 14 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of California Berkeley placed #13 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 515 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $61,502 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Notre Dame landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. Typical student debt for the program is $18,625.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Notre Dame
Yale University earned the #15 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 208 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Yale University earn around $54,447 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Yale University
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Pennsylvania College Of Technology awarded about 19 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn around $36,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Pennsylvania College Of Technology
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #17 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 120 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $51,264 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,952 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Dayton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 17 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Dayton
Harvard University came in at #19 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 179 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $72,276. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Harvard University
Georgetown University came in at #20 for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Georgetown University
New York University placed #21 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 14 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from New York University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 61 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $41,152 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,699.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Maryland College Park
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 90 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Drake University came in at #24 for natural resources & conservation this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 21 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,228 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Drake University
University Of California Davis landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 394 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $38,776 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,218 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of California Davis
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong natural resources & conservation education:
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 · 1206 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).
