Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Montana
Ranked by graduate earnings
Montana State University, The University of Montana and The University of Montana-Western award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees and certificates in Montana: 112, 91 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Montana colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 246 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana State University Bozeman Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,745 | 112 | 57% | — | $27,040 |
| 2 | The University of Montana Missoula Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,552 | 91 | 48% | — | $21,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Montana
Top 7 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana State University Bozeman Public | 112 | $36,745 |
| 2 | The University of Montana Missoula Public | 91 | $27,552 |
| 3 | The University of Montana-Western Dillon Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 4 | Montana State University Billings Billings Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | Carroll College Helena Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Rocky Mountain College Billings Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Stone Child College Box Elder Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Montana colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Big Horn College | Crow Agency | Public | 5 |
| Fort Peck Community College | Poplar | Public | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).
Top skills
What Conservation Scientists earn in Montana
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Montana.
Which Montana colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+
Montana State University (112 graduates a year), The University of Montana (91 graduates a year) and The University of Montana-Western (13 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees and certificates in Montana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Montana colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in Montana has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Montana State University tops the list at $36,745. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Montana?+
The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Montana is $76,360 (median $73,920), across about 560 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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