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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Minnesota

7 Colleges in the United States
509 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$39,931 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Resources & Conservation is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their natural resources & conservation programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 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 Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carleton College awarded about 11 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $45,096 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566. Read more about the natural resources & conservation program at Carleton College

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. 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. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $43,253 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,343 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

A rank of #3 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the top schools for natural resources & conservation. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 14 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,260. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

4

University Of Minnesota Duluth is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 30 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $33,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,894 to complete this degree. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

5

University Of Minnesota Crookston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 20 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Crookston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $37,453. Students borrow a median of $21,380 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University Of Minnesota Crookston

6

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $38,024 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Gustavus Adolphus College

7

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 20 natural resources & conservation degrees in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

8

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 112 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College 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. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

9
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College came in at #9 for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Macalester College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $29,559 in their early career. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Macalester College

10

Metropolitan State University placed #10 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. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,822 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Metropolitan State University

11
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $29,921 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,455. Get the full natural resources & conservation details for St Olaf College

12

Bemidji State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 40 natural resources & conservation degrees were awarded at Bemidji State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural resources & conservation program make about $38,905 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,900. See the full natural resources & conservation program report for Bemidji State University

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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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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