ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Colorado

8 Colleges in the United States
1,110 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$41,006 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resources & Conservation programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 11
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Environmental Science" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Environmental Science" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Forestry & Conservation (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Forestry & Conservation (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sustainability (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Sustainability (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA - Sustainability & Environmental Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Environmental Science - Data Analytics in Science" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Environmental Science - Data Analytics in Science" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Sustainability & Environmental Compliance" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Sustainability & Environmental Compliance" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 11
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 6 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 6
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 4 offers with relevance >= 0.8

Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in Colorado

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

No school ranked higher than University Of Denver this year for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Denver awarded about 208 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $69,122 in their early career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $25,899 in student loans. 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. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Colorado Boulder

3
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Mesa State College graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Mesa State College

4

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 284 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn around $42,622 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,388. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins

5

Front Range Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Front Range Community College earn around $36,860 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,677. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Front Range Community College

6
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College earned the #6 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Colorado Mountain College graduates 14% of students within six years. 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. Colorado Mountain College graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Colorado Mountain College

7

University Of Colorado Denver ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. About 46% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 14 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $52,302. Typical student debt for the program is $26,582. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Colorado Denver

8

Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #8 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. Metropolitan State College Of Denver awarded about 50 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn around $44,236 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,370. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Metropolitan State College Of Denver

9

Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #9 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Rangely. There were roughly 28 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colorado Northwestern Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $38,698 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Colorado Northwestern Community College

10
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Colorado Springs. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colorado College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $17,372 in their early career. Colorado College graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Colorado College

11
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Durango. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Fort Lewis College in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $22,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,477 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Fort Lewis College

12

Western State College Of Colorado earned the #12 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Western State College Of Colorado graduates 50% of students within six years. Western State College Of Colorado awarded about 44 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $31,739 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,612. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Western State College Of Colorado

ADBLOCK #173
View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options