by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you have a passion for the outdoors? If you love being surrounded by nature and teaching others about it, you might be a good fit for a major in Outdoor Education.
Outdoor Education majors learn the skills to teach others about the outdoors, act as guides for hikes and other activities, and lead courses in wilderness survival. Classes in topics such as environmental studies, first aid, survival skills, and outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, ropes courses, and backpacking prepare students for a successful career working with and teaching others about the great outdoors.
A degree in Outdoor Education involves the study of Outdoor Education. Continue reading for the essential details every outdoor education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering outdoor education programs.
Nationwide, outdoor education draws strong interest, with 336 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Outdoor Education Schools ranking analyzes these 43 schools to determine the best overall colleges for outdoor education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of outdoor education programs later in this article.
Programs in Outdoor Education emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations outdoor education graduates commonly enter.
A majority of your career will be spent working with others making strong communication and interpersonal skills very important. Whether you're teaching classes, giving nature tours, or leading hiking adventures, you must be courteous with customers and provide excellent customer service. Students who excel in this field often have a background in environmental studies and previous experience working in the outdoors.
A career in Outdoor Education can be either part time or full time depending on where you're hired. Some parks have a busy season requiring more staff while other places require year round staff. Location and your level of experience and education will play a role in what type of job you're hired for.
To gain experience in this field, it is recommended you find a summer job or internship with a campsite, outdoor adventure company, the National Park Service, or another organization within the Outdoor Education field.
Skills developed in a outdoor education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a outdoor education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several outdoor education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 27 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 49 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 164 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 96 |
People currently working in careers related to outdoor education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 62.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Master’s degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in outdoor education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Outdoor Education gives graduates the opportunity to work outdoors in a variety of jobs. Some graduates have decided to become park rangers, teach outdoor survival courses, lead hiking and backpacking trips, and work for kayaking and canoeing companies. Since you will have an advanced knowledge of the outdoors, you will be able to find a job in any outdoor related industry. This occupation is growing at an average rate, meaning most students should be able to find a job after graduation in their area. Those who are willing to relocate will have a better chance finding work.
A degree in outdoor education opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to outdoor education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to outdoor education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | 443,431 | 8.4% |
| Recreation Workers | 73,096 | -2.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of outdoor education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $21,413 |
| 4 years | $46,136 |
| 5 years | $47,445 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for outdoor education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers outdoor education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation Workers | $41,302 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $22,330 |
With 43 different outdoor education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased outdoor education school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in outdoor education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Education | 336 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 65,261 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2,291 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,155 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 355 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
