Kentucky · Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University and Kentucky State University award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees and certificates in Kentucky: 87, 23 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Kentucky colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 191 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…

Institutions
11
offering CIP 03.01
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
191
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$36,117
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,407
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Conservation Scientists
$74,970
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Kentucky
Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,1178771%—$25,000
2Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$36,8941852%—$16,900

Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Kentucky

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
87$36,117
2Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
23Not reported
3Kentucky State University
Frankfort Public
19Not reported
4Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
18$36,894
5Lindsey Wilson University
Columbia Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
6Centre College
Danville Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
7Bellarmine University
Louisville Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
8Campbellsville University
Campbellsville Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
9Berea College
Berea Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
10Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
4Not reported
Show the other 1 Kentucky colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Georgetown CollegeGeorgetownPrivate not-for-profit1

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 Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
180
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$74,970
median $71,980
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Compliance Officers
$72,580 avg · 4,360 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$71,160 avg · 1,000 jobs
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
$53,230 avg · 560 jobs
Forest and Conservation Technicians
$48,670 avg · 240 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$74,970 avg · 180 jobs
Foresters
$63,560 avg · 120 jobs

Common questions

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

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+

University of Kentucky (87 graduates a year), Western Kentucky University (23 graduates a year) and Kentucky State University (19 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees and certificates in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Kentucky colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Kentucky tops the list at $36,117. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Kentucky is $74,970 (median $71,980), across about 180 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).

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

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card