Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics equips students with the analytical tools to evaluate complex environmental challenges through an economic lens. This program explores how natural resources are valued, managed, and impacted by human activity, with a focus on developing sustainable solutions to pressing ecological and economic issues.
- Cost-benefit analysis: A systematic method for assessing the economic efficiency of environmental policies and projects by comparing total expected costs against total expected benefits.
- Environmental impact assessment: A process for evaluating the potential environmental consequences of proposed development or policy actions before decisions are made.
- Resource management strategies: Analytical frameworks for assessing alternatives in the use and conservation of natural resources, including forests, fisheries, and water systems.
- Policy evaluation and monitoring: Techniques to measure the real-world effectiveness of environmental regulations and conservation initiatives over time.
- Economic modeling of environmental systems: Use of quantitative and qualitative tools to understand how environmental changes influence economic behavior and outcomes.
- Market-based environmental instruments: Study of policies like carbon pricing, pollution taxes, and tradable permits designed to incentivize sustainable resource use.
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental and Natural Resource Economics degrees, including Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary and Economists. 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 692,220 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063 | $119,980 | $57,550 - $217,160 | 12,420 | N/A |
| Economists 19-3011 | $115,440 | $62,340 - $212,710 | 15,880 | $55.50 |
| Social Science Research Assistants 19-4061 | $58,040 | $36,410 - $100,620 | 32,940 | $27.90 |
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $76,115 in Florida to $135,990 in Delaware—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 692,220 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 Resource Economics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 19 institutions offering Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 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 Resource Economics is found at University of Chicago (UChicago) (39 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (35 graduates), Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (24 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (21 graduates), and Michigan State University (MSU) (20 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 184 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 Chicago (UChicago) |
Postbac Cert.
|
39 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
35 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Other Award
|
4 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Tuskegee University (TU) |
Master's
|
3 | Tuskegee, Alabama | Private | tuskegee.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Cupey) |
Master's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Master's
|
2 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Malone University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Canton, Ohio | Private | malone.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Other Award
|
1 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental and Natural Resource Economics programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental and Natural Resource Economics degree?
Salaries for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Economics Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $119,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $135,990 compared to $76,115 in Florida. Approximately 692,220 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 Resource Economics programs?
Currently 19 accredited institutions offer Environmental and Natural Resource Economics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Chicago (UChicago) (39 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (35 graduates), and Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (24 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 Resource Economics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 56 in 2010 to 184 in 2023-24. This represents a 229% 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 Resource Economics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, and Economists. Related occupations employ approximately 692,220 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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