Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Minnesota
Ranked by graduate earnings
Gustavus Adolphus College, University of Minnesota-Duluth and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities are the top bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Minnesota by graduate earnings. Gustavus Adolphus College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,024, College Scorecard. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minnesota North College and Gustavus Adolphus College award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Minnesota: 222, 30 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 29 Minnesota colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 529 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 10 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 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,024 | 29 | 77% | $21,607 | $23,250 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,565 | 23 | 65% | — | $26,894 |
| 3 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,132 | 222 | 85% | — | $24,250 |
| 4 | St Olaf College Northfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,921 | 26 | 84% | $18,124 | $24,455 |
| 5 | Saint Johns University Collegeville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,047 | 8 | 75% | $19,900 | — |
| 6 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,555 | 7 | 40% | — | $26,000 |
| 7 | Bemidji State University Bemidji Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,195 | 13 | 48% | — | $24,000 |
| 8 | University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,453 | 18 | 50% | — | $21,380 |
| 9 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,520 | 12 | 76% | $28,888 | $24,625 |
| 10 | Macalester College Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,559 | 19 | 87% | $21,441 | $19,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Minnesota
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 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public | 222 | $33,132 |
| 2 | Minnesota North College Hibbing Public | 30 | Not reported |
| 3 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter Private not-for-profit | 29 | $38,024 |
| 4 | St Olaf College Northfield Private not-for-profit | 26 | $29,921 |
| 5 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth Public | 23 | $33,565 |
| 6 | Macalester College Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 19 | $29,559 |
| 7 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston Public | 18 | $37,453 |
| 9 | Carleton College Northfield Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 10 | Bemidji State University Bemidji Public | 13 | $39,195 |
ShowHide the other 19 Minnesota colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).
Top skills
What Conservation Scientists earn in Minnesota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Minnesota.
Which Minnesota colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (222 graduates a year), Minnesota North College (30 graduates a year) and Gustavus Adolphus College (29 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 29 Minnesota colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
What is the best college for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Minnesota?+
By graduate earnings, Gustavus Adolphus College leads among bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Minnesota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,024, College Scorecard. University of Minnesota-Duluth and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities follow. By degrees awarded, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is the largest, with 222 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in Minnesota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Gustavus Adolphus College tops the list at $38,024. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Minnesota?+
The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Minnesota is $74,570 (median $71,280), across about 770 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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