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

18 Colleges in the United States
2,413 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$43,281 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 99 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 Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall natural resources & conservation education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas Christian University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 18 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $60,035 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Texas Christian University

3
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

A rank of #3 makes Trinity University one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Trinity University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $57,496. Trinity University graduates carry a median of $23,314 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Trinity University

4

Texas A And M University College Station is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 289 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $33,736. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,846 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Texas A And M University College Station

5

Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 199 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,728. Typical student debt for the program is $22,479. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Arizona State University

6

Sam Houston State University landed the #6 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Huntsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Sam Houston State University

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #7 for natural resources & conservation this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $67,876 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,632. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 28 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $41,368. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Houston Clear Lake

9

University Of Arizona ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 199 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $30,645 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $22,483 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Arizona

10

University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Houston earn around $57,529 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Houston

11

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 53 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $42,057 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

12

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #12 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 35 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $46,404 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for The University Of Texas Pan American

13
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University came in at #13 for natural resources & conservation this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 12 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Angelo State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $46,134 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Angelo State University

14

Grand Canyon University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. About 44% of students finish within six years. Grand Canyon University awarded about 22 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. Typical student debt for the program is $30,027. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Grand Canyon University

15

Austin Community College District earned the #15 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 19 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $44,895 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Austin Community College District

16

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 184 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $52,335 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Arizona State University Skysong

17

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $33,603 in their early career. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $16,449 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from New Mexico State University Main Campus

18

Northern Arizona University came in at #18 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 257 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $39,589 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,694 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Northern Arizona University

19

Saint Edwards University earned the #19 position for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Austin. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Saint Edwards University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $44,054 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Saint Edwards University

20

Baylor University placed #20 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 52 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $31,707 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Baylor University

21

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 32 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,385 early in their careers. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

22

Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,795. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Southwestern Oklahoma State University

23

Lubbock Christian University came in at #23 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Lubbock Christian University in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Lubbock Christian University earn a median of $49,072 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,337. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Lubbock Christian University

24

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #24 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 20 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $49,983 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of New Mexico Main Campus

25
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University came in at #25 for natural resources & conservation this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Tarleton State University awarded about 99 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Tarleton State University

Rest of the Top 37 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong natural resources & conservation education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Prescott College crest
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ
35
36
37

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 99 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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