2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

No school ranked higher than Washington University In St Louis this year for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 32 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Washington University In St Louis

2

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

A rank of #2 makes Drake University one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. Drake University awarded about 21 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for Drake University

3

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in natural resources & conservation, ranking #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. About 90% of students finish within six years. Carleton College awarded about 11 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Carleton College

4

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $65,599 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,586. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Saint Louis University Main Campus

5

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 137 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $39,291. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $20,210 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

6

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #6 for natural resources & conservation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 110 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Iowa State University earn around $38,761 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,995. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Iowa State University

7

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #7 for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 34 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $44,347 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,361. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Kansas State University

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 172 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $43,253 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,343 in student loans. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

9

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $53,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Minnesota State University Mankato

10

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #10 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 42 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $35,650 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Iowa

11

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #11 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 67 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $34,374. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $19,282 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Kansas

12

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #12 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $32,284 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,639 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at University Of Nebraska At Omaha

13

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #13 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $60,324 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 30 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $33,565 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

15

University Of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN

University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #15 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. University Of Minnesota Crookston graduates 50% of students within six years. About 20 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Crookston in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $37,453 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Crookston graduates carry a median of $21,380 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Minnesota Crookston

16

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University placed #16 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 65 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from South Dakota State University earn around $39,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,798. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at South Dakota State University

17

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #17 for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 117 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,514. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

18

Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #18 for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 29 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $38,024 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Gustavus Adolphus College

19

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #19 position for natural resources & conservation this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $30,520 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

20

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Hibbing, MN

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #20 position for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 112 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $45,589 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

21

Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College landed the #21 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. About 22 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $29,559 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Macalester College

22

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University placed #22 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Typical student debt for the program is $30,822. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Metropolitan State University

23

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 24 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Hawkeye Community College earn around $41,902 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete this degree. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Hawkeye Community College

24

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 17 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Webster University in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural resources & conservation degree from Webster University earn around $81,807 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,939. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Webster University

25

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #25 among the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 25 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $29,921 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,455 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from St Olaf College