Range Science and Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Range Science and Management is a comprehensive academic discipline dedicated to the sustainable stewardship of vast, often arid or semi-arid ecosystems such as grasslands, shrublands, and rangelands. This field integrates ecological science with practical resource management to ensure long-term productivity, biodiversity conservation, and environmental resilience in low-productivity landscapes.
- Ecology: Explores the interactions between organisms and their environments, focusing on how plant and animal communities function within dynamic rangeland systems.
- Plant Sciences: Investigates the identification, physiology, and management of native and forage plant species critical to rangeland health and livestock nutrition.
- Soil Science: Examines soil composition, erosion dynamics, nutrient cycling, and land degradation processes to support sustainable land use practices.
- Hydrology: Studies water movement, distribution, and quality within rangeland watersheds to optimize water resource availability and minimize runoff and contamination.
- Wildlife Biology: Focuses on the ecology and conservation of native fauna, including species that depend on rangeland habitats for survival and ecosystem balance.
- Livestock Management: Covers grazing strategies, animal health, and rotational practices designed to maintain forage integrity while supporting responsible livestock production.
Range Science and Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Range Science and Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Range Science and Management degrees, including Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers and Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 70,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1043 | $100,830 | $58,670 - $154,630 | 1,310 | N/A |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 11-9013 | $87,980 | $51,700 - $156,530 | 5,910 | $42.30 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| Animal Scientists 19-1011 | $79,120 | $48,440 - $235,750 | 2,470 | $38.04 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists 19-1013 | $71,410 | $45,320 - $131,440 | 16,600 | $34.33 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Range Science and Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,680 in Hawaii to $100,820 in District of Columbia—a 88% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Minnesota. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 70,840 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Range Science and Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 18 institutions offering Range Science and Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Range Science and Management is found at Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) (28 graduates), Chadron State College (CSC) (24 graduates), University of Idaho (U of I) (16 graduates), University of Wyoming (UW) (16 graduates), and California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 153 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Ontario, Oregon | Public | tvcc.cc |
| Chadron State College (CSC) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Chadron, Nebraska | Public | csc.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Miles Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Miles City, Montana | Public | milescc.edu |
| Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) |
Associate's
|
7 | Sheridan, Wyoming | Public | sheridan.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Master's
|
5 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Casper College |
Associate's
|
3 | Casper, Wyoming | Public | caspercollege.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Range Science and Management programs
How much can I earn with a Range Science and Management degree?
Salaries for Range Science and Management graduates vary by role and location. Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,830 annually, while Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn around $87,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $100,820 compared to $53,680 in Hawaii. Approximately 70,840 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Range Science and Management programs?
Currently 18 accredited institutions offer Range Science and Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) (28 graduates), Chadron State College (CSC) (24 graduates), and University of Idaho (U of I) (16 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Range Science and Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 181 in 2010 to a peak of 207 in 2020, before declining slightly to 153 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Range Science and Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, and Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 70,840 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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