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Best Schools for Outdoor Education in the United States
See the highest-ranked outdoor education schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in Outdoor Education
Our analysis ranked Minnesota State University Mankato the best school in the country for a degree in outdoor education. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 outdoor education students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Graduates of the outdoor education program make about $53,088 in their early career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Minnesota State University Mankato
A rank of #2 makes Western Carolina University one of the top schools for outdoor education. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 12 outdoor education degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Graduates of the outdoor education program make about $44,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete this degree.
Get the full outdoor education details for Western Carolina University
Students looking for a strong outdoor education program will find one at Prescott College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Prescott College awarded about 21 outdoor education degrees in the most recent data year. Outdoor Education graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $42,966 early in their careers. Prescott College graduates carry a median of $27,230 in student loans.
More information about a degree in outdoor education from Prescott College
Other Outdoor Education Degree Levels
Explore the best outdoor education schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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