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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region

36 Colleges in the United States
3,837 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$40,900 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their natural resources & conservation programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 188 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 the Great Lakes 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 resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Chicago

3

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 19 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $69,494 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,625. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Notre Dame

4

Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at University Of Dayton, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $56,077 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Dayton

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #5. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 336 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,577. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

Illinois State University came in at #6 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 10 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Illinois State University

7

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 107 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Ohio University Main Campus

8
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 10 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $55,045 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Xavier University

9

Miami University Oxford placed #9 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $34,708 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Miami University Oxford

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 432 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $41,040 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #11 for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 110 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College placed #12 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $44,220 in their early career. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Calvin College

13

University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #13 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Wisconsin Platteville

14

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 125 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $41,918. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Indiana University Bloomington

15
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 131 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $43,307 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,559 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Purdue University Main Campus

16

Ohio Northern University came in at #16 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Ohio Northern University graduates 72% of students within six years. Ohio Northern University awarded about 10 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $56,878. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Ohio Northern University

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #17 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 19 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

18
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 11 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $57,104 in their early career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Cedarville University

19

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #19 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $54,302 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

20

The College Of Wooster earned the #20 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Wooster in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. The College Of Wooster graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The College Of Wooster

21

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 274 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $36,713 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,083. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

22
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #22 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 12 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Denison University earn a median of $36,236 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Denison University

23

Fox Valley Technical College earned the #23 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 24 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $32,996 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,846 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Fox Valley Technical College

24
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University placed #24 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Appleton. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 16 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Lawrence University in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $15,699 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Lawrence University

25
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 11 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Kenyon College earn around $37,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Kenyon College

Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

These schools also placed among the best for natural resources & conservation this year:

26
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
27
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH
28
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
36
37
38
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
39
40
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI
41
42
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
50
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Honorable Mentions

A few more natural resources & conservation schools worth a look:

Narrow Natural Resources & Conservation Schools by State

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View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >

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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 · 188 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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