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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Washington

7 Colleges in the United States
779 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$40,931 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resources & Conservation is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their natural resources & conservation programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for natural resources & conservation students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in Washington

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 resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 286 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $42,759 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,184 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Whitworth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Whitworth University awarded about 12 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $47,998 early in their careers. Whitworth University graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Whitworth University

3

Western Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 198 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $43,680 in their early career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,854 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Western Washington University

4

Washington State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #4. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,115 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Washington State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 24 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $35,867 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,184 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

6

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #6 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 18 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn around $35,867 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates carry a median of $17,184 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

7

Green River Community College landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 52 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Green River Community College

8

Central Washington University placed #8 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 25 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Central Washington University

9
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 16 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Seattle University

10
Bastyr University crest
Bastyr University
Kenmore, WA

Bastyr University came in at #10 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Kenmore, Bastyr University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 14 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Bastyr University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Bastyr University generally make around $35,557. Students borrow a median of $26,196 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Bastyr University

11

Cascadia Community College landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 10 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Cascadia Community College in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. Cascadia Community College graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Cascadia Community College

12

Eastern Washington University landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $39,671 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Eastern Washington University

13
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 17 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $28,763 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,118 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Gonzaga University

14

The Evergreen State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public institution. About 41% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The Evergreen State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from The Evergreen State College earn around $26,942 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,850. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The Evergreen State College

15
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College came in at #15 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Skagit Valley College awarded about 20 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Typical student debt for the program is $14,056. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Skagit Valley College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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