Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Indiana
Ranked by graduate earnings
Purdue University, Ball State University and Indiana University - Bloomington are the top bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Indiana by graduate earnings. Purdue University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,989, College Scorecard. Indiana University - Bloomington, Purdue University and Ball State University award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Indiana: 143, 40 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Indiana colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 379 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University West Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,989 | 40 | 83% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | Ball State University Muncie Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,000 | 25 | 62% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,655 | 143 | 80% | — | $19,500 |
| 4 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $48,361 | 23 | 50% | — | $55,306 |
| 5 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,469 | 12 | 54% | — | $29,076 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vincennes University Vincennes Public · Associate degree | $32,138 | 30 | 39% | — | $12,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Indiana
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington Public | 143 | $31,655 |
| 2 | Purdue University West Lafayette Public | 40 | $38,989 |
| 3 | Ball State University Muncie Public | 25 | $34,000 |
| 4 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis Public | 12 | $32,469 |
| 7 | Goshen College Goshen Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | DePauw University Greencastle Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Butler University Indianapolis Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Indiana colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincennes University | Vincennes | Public | 30 |
| Purdue University Global (Online) | West Lafayette | Public | 23 |
| Earlham College | Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Taylor University | Upland | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Hanover College | Hanover | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Manchester University | North Manchester | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Indiana University - Southeast | New Albany | Public | 5 |
| Saint Mary's College | Notre Dame | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion | Marion | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).
Top skills
What Conservation Scientists earn in Indiana
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Indiana.
Which Indiana colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+
Indiana University - Bloomington (143 graduates a year), Purdue University (40 graduates a year) and Ball State University (25 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Indiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Indiana colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
What is the best college for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Indiana?+
By graduate earnings, Purdue University leads among bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Indiana, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,989, College Scorecard. Ball State University and Indiana University - Bloomington follow. By degrees awarded, Indiana University - Bloomington is the largest, with 143 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in Indiana has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Purdue University tops the list at $38,989. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Indiana?+
The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Indiana is $68,990 (median $64,570), across about 430 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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