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Best Schools for Outdoor Education in the United States
See the highest-ranked outdoor education schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.
Top Schools in Outdoor Education
Vermont Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best outdoor education schools. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Vermont Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the outdoor education program make about $41,822 in their early career. Vermont Technical College graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Vermont Technical College
A rank of #2 makes Salisbury University one of the top schools for outdoor education. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Salisbury University awarded about 13 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the outdoor education program make about $45,476 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete this degree.
See the full outdoor education program report for Salisbury University
Central Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best outdoor education schools. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 14 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their outdoor education degree from Central Michigan University earn around $50,688 in the first couple years of their career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans.
Get the full outdoor education details for Central Michigan University
A rank of #4 makes Fort Lewis College one of the top schools for outdoor education. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Fort Lewis College awarded about 13 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, outdoor education degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $25,514. Typical student debt for the program is $18,888.
See the full outdoor education program report for Fort Lewis College
Prescott College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in outdoor education, landing the #5 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Prescott. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Prescott College in the most recent data year. Outdoor Education graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $42,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,230 to complete this degree.
Get the full outdoor education details for Prescott College
Warren Wilson College landed the #6 spot for outdoor education this year. Located in the rural area of Swannanoa, Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Warren Wilson College graduates 42% of students 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.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Warren Wilson College
Other Outdoor Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Outdoor Education rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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