Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to design and oversee tourism experiences in ecologically sensitive and culturally rich natural environments. This program emphasizes sustainable development, ensuring that tourism initiatives support environmental conservation, respect local communities, and contribute to long-term economic resilience.
- Environmental Studies: Explores the scientific foundations of ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental change to inform responsible tourism planning.
- Natural Resource Management and Interpretation: Focuses on strategies for preserving natural landscapes while enhancing visitor understanding through educational programming and guided experiences.
- Tourism Planning, Management, and Policies: Covers the development of tourism infrastructure, operations, and regulatory frameworks that balance visitor access with ecological protection.
- Public Land Use Management and Policies: Examines the legal and administrative systems governing public lands, including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, and their role in tourism development.
- Communications: Develops skills in conveying environmental messages effectively through written, verbal, and digital platforms to diverse audiences.
- Marketing: Teaches strategic approaches to promoting eco-tourism offerings while maintaining authenticity and sustainability as core values.
- Public Relations: Builds expertise in managing stakeholder relationships, addressing community concerns, and fostering trust between tourism operators and local populations.
Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism degrees, including Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling. 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 36,700 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling 11-9072 | $77,180 | $45,320 - $134,680 | 36,700 | $37.11 |
Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,570 in West Virginia to $114,440 in District of Columbia—a 169% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Minnesota, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 36,700 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 Tourism by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism 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 Tourism is found at Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (44 graduates), Auburn University (AU) (29 graduates), The University of Montana (UM) (19 graduates), Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (19 graduates), and University of Vermont (UVM) (18 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 171 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Master's
|
19 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Other Award
|
4 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Maryville College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Maryville, Tennessee | Private | maryvillecollege.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Master's
|
3 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
1 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Ferrum College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ferrum, Virginia | Private | ferrum.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism degree?
Salaries for Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism graduates vary by role and location. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling earn a median of $77,180 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $114,440 compared to $42,570 in West Virginia. Approximately 36,700 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 Tourism programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Environmental and Natural Resource Tourism degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (44 graduates), Auburn University (AU) (29 graduates), and The University of Montana (UM) (19 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 Tourism growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 33 in 2010 to 171 in 2023-24. This represents a 418% 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 Tourism degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling. Related occupations employ approximately 36,700 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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