Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to address complex challenges in the stewardship of ecosystems and sustainable resource use. This program emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and strategic planning to ensure the long-term health of natural environments and the communities that depend on them.
- Wildlife and Conservation Biology: Explores the ecological principles governing species survival, biodiversity maintenance, and habitat preservation in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
- Environmental Science: Integrates physical, chemical, and biological sciences to analyze environmental systems, assess pollution impacts, and support sustainable solutions.
- Animal Population Surveying: Teaches field and statistical methods for monitoring wildlife populations, including data collection, modeling, and interpretation for conservation planning.
- Natural Resource Economics: Examines the economic valuation of natural assets, cost-benefit analysis of management strategies, and incentive-based approaches to resource conservation.
- Habitat Management Techniques: Covers adaptive management practices for forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other ecosystems, with a focus on restoration and resilience.
- Environmental Law and Policy: Provides a foundation in national and international regulations, compliance frameworks, and policy implementation related to environmental protection.
- Administrative and Communications Skills: Develops proficiency in project management, budgeting, stakeholder coordination, and clear, persuasive communication across diverse audiences.
- Public Relations and Outreach: Focuses on building public awareness, engaging communities, and fostering collaboration among agencies, NGOs, and private stakeholders.
Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy 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 36,550 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 |
Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $46,580 in Hawaii to $90,863 in Michigan—a 95% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, California, and Virginia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 36,550 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 Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 65 institutions offering Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy 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 Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy is found at University of Denver (DU) (185 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (171 graduates), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (142 graduates), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (104 graduates), and American Public University System (APUS) (100 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,626 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 Denver (DU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
185 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
171 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
142 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
104 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
100 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
79 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
60 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
45 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
40 | Syracuse, New York | Public | esf.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
35 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Master's
|
34 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Paul Smiths, New York | Private | paulsmiths.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Martin, Tennessee | Public | utm.edu |
| Hawkeye Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Waterloo, Iowa | Public | hawkeyecollege.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
18 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Colorado Mountain College (CMC) |
Residency
|
12 | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Public | coloradomtn.edu |
| East Central University (ECU) |
Master's
|
12 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | ecok.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Associate's
|
11 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Marist College |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | marist.edu |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Master's
|
10 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
9 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Sumter, South Carolina | Public | cctech.edu |
| Sul Ross State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Alpine, Texas | Public | sulross.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Master's
|
7 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Delaware State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Dover, Delaware | Public | desu.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Everglades University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | evergladesuniversity.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| Dordt University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Concordia College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Private | concordiacollege.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Master's
|
3 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Antioch University (AUNE) |
Master's
|
3 | Keene, New Hampshire | Private | antiochne.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Las Vegas, New Mexico | Public | nmhu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
2 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Other Award
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hpu.edu |
| Salish Kootenai College (SKC) |
Master's
|
1 | Pablo, Montana | Public | skc.edu |
| Great Basin College (GBC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Elko, Nevada | Public | gbcnv.edu |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Reno, Nevada | Public | tmcc.edu |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Coos Bay, Oregon | Public | socc.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy degree?
Salaries for Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy 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 $90,863 compared to $46,580 in Hawaii. Approximately 36,550 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 Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy programs?
Currently 65 accredited institutions offer Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Denver (DU) (185 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (171 graduates), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (142 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 Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 913 in 2010 to 1,626 in 2023-24. This represents a 78% 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 Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Foresters, and Conservation Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 36,550 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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