Outdoor Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools to find the best for outdoor education students.
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Choosing a Great Outdoor Education School
The outdoor education program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Outdoor Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Outdoor Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Outdoor Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Outdoor Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the outdoor education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Vermont Technical College the best school in the country for a degree in outdoor education. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. Vermont Technical College graduates 44% of students within six years. Vermont Technical College awarded about 16 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, outdoor education degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $41,822. Typical student debt for the program is $24,208.
See the full outdoor education program report for Vermont Technical College
Students looking for a strong outdoor education program will find one at Salisbury University, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. Salisbury University graduates 68% of students within six years. Salisbury University awarded about 13 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Outdoor Education graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,545.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Salisbury University
Central Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best outdoor education schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Central Michigan University awarded about 14 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Outdoor Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans.
Get the full outdoor education details for Central Michigan University
Minnesota State University Mankato is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in outdoor education, ranking #4. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 13 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, outdoor education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete this degree.
See the full outdoor education program report for Minnesota State University Mankato
Students looking for a strong outdoor education program will find one at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College, which ranked #5. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hibbing. About 17 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn around $44,387 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,029.
Get the full outdoor education details for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Fort Lewis College came in at #6 for outdoor education this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. About 36% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Fort Lewis College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Fort Lewis College earn around $25,514 in the first couple years of their career. Fort Lewis College graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans.
Get the full outdoor education details for Fort Lewis College
Western Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best outdoor education schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the outdoor education program make about $44,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,174.
See the full outdoor education program report for Western Carolina University
Prescott College placed #8 among the best outdoor education schools. Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 37 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Prescott College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, outdoor education degree recipients from Prescott College generally make around $42,966. Typical student debt for the program is $27,230.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Prescott College
Warren Wilson College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best outdoor education schools. Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Swannanoa. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Warren Wilson College in the most recent data year.
See the full outdoor education program report for Warren Wilson College
Adirondack Community College landed the #10 spot for outdoor education this year. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. About 15 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Adirondack Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Adirondack Community College earn around $31,590 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,358 to complete this degree.
Read more about the outdoor education program at Adirondack Community College
Greenfield Community College landed the #11 spot for outdoor education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Greenfield. About 12 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Greenfield Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Greenfield Community College earn around $58,356 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,269.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Greenfield Community College
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 55 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
