Natural Resources Conservation: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Natural Resources Conservation is a comprehensive academic discipline dedicated to understanding, managing, and sustaining the Earth’s vital ecosystems and finite resources. This program equips students with the scientific foundation and practical skills needed to address pressing environmental challenges while promoting responsible stewardship of natural systems.
- Environmental Science Fundamentals: Explores the interrelationships between living organisms and their physical surroundings, emphasizing data-driven analysis of ecological processes and human impacts on the biosphere.
- Natural Resources Management: Focuses on strategic planning and decision-making for the sustainable use of resources, integrating policy, technology, and conservation practices across diverse landscapes.
- Climate and Atmospheric Systems: Investigates climate patterns, atmospheric dynamics, and the role of greenhouse gases in shaping global and regional environmental conditions.
- Soil and Land Use Science: Studies soil composition, formation, degradation, and conservation techniques to support sustainable agriculture, forestry, and urban development.
- Hydrology and Water Resource Management: Examines the movement, distribution, and quality of water across watersheds, with emphasis on protecting aquatic ecosystems and ensuring equitable access.
- Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems: Analyzes the structure and function of forests, wetlands, grasslands, and aquatic habitats, including biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration strategies.
- Wildlife and Fishery Conservation: Addresses population dynamics, habitat needs, and sustainable harvesting practices to maintain healthy fish and wildlife populations.
- Renewable and Nonrenewable Resource Economics: Evaluates the environmental, social, and economic trade-offs associated with extracting and utilizing natural resources, including energy, minerals, and biomass.
- Recreational and Cultural Uses of Natural Areas: Considers how public access, outdoor recreation, and cultural values influence conservation priorities and land-use planning.
Natural Resources Conservation Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Natural Resources Conservation Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Natural Resources Conservation degrees, including Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Foresters and Conservation Scientists. 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 67,630 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 |
| Foresters 19-1032 | $70,660 | $49,240 - $103,220 | 9,650 | $33.97 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians 19-4071 | $54,310 | $36,190 - $80,790 | 31,080 | $26.11 |
Natural Resources Conservation Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,195 in Hawaii to $81,580 in Michigan—a 73% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, California, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 67,630 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 Natural Resources Conservation by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Natural Resources Conservation 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 Natural Resources Conservation is found at University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (224 graduates), Duke University (127 graduates), University of Massachusetts, Amherst (113 graduates), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (111 graduates), and University of California (UCB), Berkeley (107 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,706 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
224 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
127 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
113 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
111 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
|
107 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
91 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
91 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
89 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
83 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
62 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
59 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
54 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
48 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
44 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Reedley College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Master's
|
27 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
|
25 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
|
24 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Master's
|
23 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Big Stone Gap, Virginia | Public | mecc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
|
23 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Associate's
|
22 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | River Falls, Wisconsin | Public | uwrf.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Crookston, Minnesota | Public | crk.umn.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
|
18 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) |
Associate's
|
17 | Syracuse, New York | Public | esf.edu |
| Columbia College (CC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Sonora, California | Public | gocolumbia.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| West Valley College (WVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Saratoga, California | Public | westvalley.edu |
| Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Clifton Forge, Virginia | Public | mgcc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Master's
|
15 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Bastyr University |
Residency
|
14 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
|
13 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Godfrey, Illinois | Public | lc.edu |
| Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Gresham, Oregon | Public | mhcc.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Merritt College |
Other Award
|
10 | Oakland, California | Public | merritt.edu |
| Lake Superior State University (LSSU) |
Associate's
|
10 | Sault Ste Marie, Michigan | Public | lssu.edu |
| Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Canandaigua, New York | Public | flcc.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| Cascadia College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Bothell, Washington | Public | cascadia.edu |
| Butte College |
Associate's
|
9 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Other Award
|
9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Durant, Oklahoma | Public | se.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Concordia College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Private | concordiacollege.edu |
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Other Award
|
6 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Ellsworth Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Iowa Falls, Iowa | Public | ecc.iavalley.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| University of Rio Grande |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Rio Grande, Ohio | Private | rio.edu |
| College of Western Idaho (CWI) |
Associate's
|
6 | Nampa, Idaho | Public | cwi.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Monticello, Arkansas | Public | uamont.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Other Award
|
5 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
5 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| Skagit Valley College (SVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
5 | Mount Vernon, Washington | Public | skagit.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU Pueblo) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Pueblo, Colorado | Public | csupueblo.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
4 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Pamlico Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Grantsboro, North Carolina | Public | pamlicocc.edu |
| Northern Marianas College (NMC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | Public | marianas.edu |
| College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) |
Associate's
|
4 | Okmulgee, Oklahoma | Public | cmn.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAS) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Juneau, Alaska | Public | uas.alaska.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Other Award
|
3 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Rangely, Colorado | Public | cncc.edu |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Coon Rapids, Minnesota | Public | anokaramsey.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Pace University |
Residency
|
3 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Associate's
|
2 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Natural Resources Conservation programs
How much can I earn with a Natural Resources Conservation degree?
Salaries for Natural Resources Conservation graduates vary by role and location. Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,830 annually, while Foresters earn around $70,660. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Michigan average $81,580 compared to $47,195 in Hawaii. Approximately 67,630 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 Natural Resources Conservation programs?
Currently 122 accredited institutions offer Natural Resources Conservation degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (224 graduates), Duke University (127 graduates), and University of Massachusetts, Amherst (113 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 Natural Resources Conservation growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,999 in 2010 to a peak of 2,761 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,739 in 2023-24. This represents a 37% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Natural Resources Conservation degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Foresters, and Conservation Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 67,630 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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