Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 221 schools to find the best for natural resources & conservation students.
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Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Southeast 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.
Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in natural resources & conservation. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 209 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Duke University earn a median of $52,122 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,875.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Duke University
University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $13,952.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Students looking for a strong natural resources & conservation program will find one at The University Of Alabama, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 45 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,807.
Get the full natural resources & conservation details for The University Of Alabama
Wake Forest University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Wake Forest University awarded about 20 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Wake Forest University
University Of Richmond is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Richmond awarded about 11 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $53,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Richmond
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 169 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,071 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $12,044 in student loans.
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Elon University landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Elon University awarded about 18 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $50,463 in their early career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 407 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $60,249 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $22,010 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Davidson College earned the #9 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Davidson. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Davidson College
Auburn University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 206 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $51,205 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $20,581 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Auburn University
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 29 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $27,339 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Tulane University Of Louisiana
Clemson University came in at #12 for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 101 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Clemson University earn around $47,449 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
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Rhodes College landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 14 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,078.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 364 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $55,653 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,099 to complete this degree.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Bellarmine University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bellarmine University awarded about 13 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Bellarmine University earn around $46,024 in the first couple years of their career. Bellarmine University graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Bellarmine University
University Of Florida earned the #16 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 386 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,909 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,563.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Florida
Florida State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 151 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $30,146 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,979.
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The University Of Tampa placed #18 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. The University Of Tampa awarded about 26 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $45,401. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $25,191 in student loans.
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University Of Central Florida landed the #19 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 106 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $33,700. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $19,709 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 167 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $36,048 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,840 to complete this degree.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of South Florida Main Campus
Centre College landed the #21 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Centre College awarded about 14 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. Centre College graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans.
See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Centre College
Kennesaw State University came in at #22 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Kennesaw State University awarded about 32 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Kennesaw State University
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This large public university is located in the city of Lafayette. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 19 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn around $42,873 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Louisiana Lafayette graduates carry a median of $24,373 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Louisiana Lafayette
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #24 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 70 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $35,081 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Georgia landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Georgia awarded about 181 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,515. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans.
More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Georgia
Rest of the Top 50 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong natural resources & conservation education:
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 · 221 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).
