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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Wildlife Management Schools in the The Plains States Region

5 Colleges in the United States
128 Wildlife Management Degrees Awarded
$37,873 Avg Early-Career Salary

Wildlife Management is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for wildlife management students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Wildlife Management in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall wildlife management education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Wildlife Management

1

Leading the list is South Dakota State University, our #1 school for wildlife management. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Dakota State University awarded about 20 wildlife management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,483. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $24,798 in student loans. Read more about the wildlife management program at South Dakota State University

2

Valley City State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 wildlife management students who graduated with this degree at Valley City State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the wildlife management program make about $44,253 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the wildlife management program at Valley City State University

3

Bemidji State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in wildlife management, ranking #3. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bemidji State University awarded about 24 wildlife management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the wildlife management program make about $35,806 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,301 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in wildlife management from Bemidji State University

4

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 21 wildlife management degrees were awarded at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Wildlife Management graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. See the full wildlife management program report for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

5

Northwest Missouri State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in wildlife management, ranking #5. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Northwest Missouri State University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 wildlife management students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Wildlife Management graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete this degree. Read more about the wildlife management program at Northwest Missouri State University

6

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #6 spot for wildlife management this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 26 wildlife management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their wildlife management degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $26,549 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans. See the full wildlife management program report for Missouri State University Springfield

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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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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