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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

13 Colleges in the United States
1,910 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$41,511 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation 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 resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Denver the best school in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation. 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. There were roughly 208 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $69,122 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,899 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Denver

2

University Of Colorado Boulder is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 281 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $44,268. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Colorado Boulder

3

Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 18 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Weber State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Typical student debt for the program is $19,176. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Weber State University

4
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at University Of Utah, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Utah

5
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

A rank of #5 makes Mesa State College one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 27 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Mesa State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Mesa State College earn around $43,617 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Mesa State College

6

University Of Wyoming ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wyoming in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $40,142 early in their careers. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Wyoming

7

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #7 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 284 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $42,622. Typical student debt for the program is $22,388. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Colorado State University Fort Collins

8

Front Range Community College placed #8 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. About 55 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Front Range Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $36,860. Typical student debt for the program is $19,677. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Front Range Community College

9

Utah State University earned the #9 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $30,249. Students borrow a median of $17,941 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Utah State University

10
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College placed #10 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 14% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colorado Mountain College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $48,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,953. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Colorado Mountain College

11

Boise State University came in at #11 for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boise. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boise State University awarded about 39 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $28,211. Students borrow a median of $20,356 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Boise State University

12

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #12 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $52,302. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Colorado Denver

13

Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. About 31% of students finish within six years. Metropolitan State College Of Denver awarded about 50 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $44,236 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,370 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Metropolitan State College Of Denver

14

Montana State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 103 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Montana State University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $36,745 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,040 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Montana State University

15

University Of Idaho placed #15 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 230 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Idaho in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $41,537 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,497 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Idaho

16

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #16 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $39,896. Typical student debt for the program is $13,287. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Brigham Young University Idaho

17

Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #17 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Rangely. Colorado Northwestern Community College awarded about 28 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Colorado Northwestern Community College earn around $38,698 in the first couple years of their career. Colorado Northwestern Community College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Colorado Northwestern Community College

18

The University Of Montana Western ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Montana Western in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from The University Of Montana Western earn around $36,924 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for The University Of Montana Western

19
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College came in at #19 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. Colorado College awarded about 59 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $17,372. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Colorado College

20
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College landed the #20 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Fort Lewis College awarded about 48 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $22,541 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,477 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Fort Lewis College

21

The University Of Montana earned the #21 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 183 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Montana in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from The University Of Montana earn around $29,376 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,471 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for The University Of Montana

22

Central Wyoming College came in at #22 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public university. About 24 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Central Wyoming College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Central Wyoming College earn around $65,164 in the first couple years of their career. Central Wyoming College graduates carry a median of $12,820 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Central Wyoming College

23

Western State College Of Colorado placed #23 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 44 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Western State College Of Colorado in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $31,739 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,612 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Western State College Of Colorado

Narrow Natural Resources & Conservation Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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