Water and Marine Resources Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Water and Marine Resources Management equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to address complex challenges in the sustainable stewardship of aquatic ecosystems. This program integrates scientific, economic, and policy-based approaches to ensure the responsible use, protection, and restoration of both freshwater and marine environments.
- Wetlands and Riverine Systems: Study of dynamic freshwater habitats, including their ecological functions, hydrological processes, and roles in biodiversity support and flood mitigation.
- Lacustrine and Coastal Environments: Exploration of lake ecosystems and coastal zones, focusing on nutrient cycling, habitat integrity, and vulnerability to human impacts and climate change.
- Marine and Oceanic Resources: Examination of open-ocean systems, including physical and biological oceanography, marine biodiversity, and the sustainable use of offshore resources.
- Water Conservation and Use Efficiency: Strategies for optimizing water allocation across agriculture, industry, and urban development while preserving ecosystem health.
- Flood and Drought Risk Management: Development of adaptive planning frameworks and engineering solutions to reduce the impacts of extreme hydrological events.
- Pollution Control and Water Quality Management: Assessment and mitigation of contaminants from point and non-point sources, including nutrients, pathogens, and microplastics.
- Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Systems: Design and evaluation of advanced treatment technologies and sustainable reuse pathways for urban and industrial water streams.
- Aquatic and Marine Ecology: Investigation of species interactions, food web dynamics, and ecosystem resilience in both freshwater and marine biomes.
- Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity: Implementation of science-based strategies to protect endangered species, restore degraded habitats, and maintain genetic diversity.
- Economic and Recreational Valuation of Water Resources: Application of environmental economics to assess the societal benefits of water-based recreation, fisheries, and ecosystem services.
Water and Marine Resources Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Water and Marine Resources Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Water and Marine Resources Management degrees, including Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 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 26,900 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 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
Water and Marine Resources Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,880 in Kansas to $97,330 in Virginia—a 112% difference. The highest-paying states include Virginia, Michigan, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 26,900 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 Water and Marine Resources Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 27 institutions offering Water and Marine Resources 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 Water and Marine Resources Management is found at University of Miami (UM) (89 graduates), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) (31 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (28 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (27 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) (24 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 355 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 Miami (UM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
89 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
27 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
|
19 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
18 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Everglades University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | evergladesuniversity.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
9 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Spokane, Washington | Public | scc.spokane.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
|
9 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Master's
|
4 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| Florida Gateway College (FGC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lake City, Florida | Public | fgc.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | Paul Smiths, New York | Private | paulsmiths.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Other Award
|
3 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | uwp.edu |
| Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hpu.edu |
| Stockton University |
Master's
|
2 | Galloway, New Jersey | Public | stockton.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of the District of Columbia (UDC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Public | udc.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Associate's
|
1 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Water and Marine Resources Management programs
How much can I earn with a Water and Marine Resources Management degree?
Salaries for Water and Marine Resources Management graduates vary by role and location. Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,830 annually, while Conservation Scientists earn around $67,950. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Virginia average $97,330 compared to $45,880 in Kansas. Approximately 26,900 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 Water and Marine Resources Management programs?
Currently 27 accredited institutions offer Water and Marine Resources Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Miami (UM) (89 graduates), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) (31 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (28 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 Water and Marine Resources Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 154 in 2010 to 355 in 2023-24. This represents a 131% 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 Water and Marine Resources Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Conservation Scientists, . Related occupations employ approximately 26,900 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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