California · Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Best Natural Resources Conservation and Research institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Natural Resources Conservation and Research program focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges and promote…

Institutions
99
offering CIP 03.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
3,375
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$40,759
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
25
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,873
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Conservation Scientists
$87,840
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Occidental College
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$49,5291381%$28,024
2University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,33850093%$12,988
3University of Redlands
Redlands Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,1643867%$22,706$26,000
4Santa Clara University
Santa Clara Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$42,5763188%$44,094$23,250
5Ashford University
San Diego Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,893511%$26,445$45,254
6Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,7592158%$15,856
7University of California - Davis
Davis Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,95428486%$15,200
8University of San Francisco
San Francisco Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,9496670%$37,121$23,125
9California State University - East Bay
Hayward Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,8763248%
10University of California - San Diego
La Jolla Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,5247986%$18,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$67,950
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingScienceWritingCritical Thinking

What Conservation Scientists earn in California

Jobs in California
1,940
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$87,840
median $81,620
Best-paying metro
$114,340
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Related careers

Compliance Officers
$98,970 avg · 47,420 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$107,420 avg · 13,200 jobs
Forest and Conservation Technicians
$63,140 avg · 6,440 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$87,840 avg · 1,940 jobs
Foresters
$101,700 avg · 830 jobs
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$124,540 avg · 470 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in California.

Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Occidental College tops the list at $49,529. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Conservation Scientists earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in California is $87,840 (median $81,620), across about 1,940 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Natural Resources Conservation and Research program?+

The Natural Resources Conservation and Research program focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges and promote…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, science, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Conservation Scientists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.4% growth with around 2,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Natural Resources Conservation and Research in other statesAlabamaDistrict of ColumbiaWest VirginiaKansasOklahomaNew JerseyArizonaRhode Island

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