Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
Oregon State University, University of Portland and Portland State University are the top bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. Oregon State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,479, College Scorecard. Oregon State University, University of Oregon and Portland State University award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Oregon: 197, 186 and 104 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Oregon colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 659 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 6 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 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,479 | 197 | 70% | — | $23,267 |
| 2 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,349 | 23 | 80% | $33,822 | $22,875 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,512 | 104 | 53% | — | $29,250 |
| 4 | University of Oregon Eugene Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,200 | 186 | 72% | — | $20,500 |
| 5 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,697 | 21 | 71% | $20,345 | $22,511 |
| 6 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,632 | 16 | 43% | — | $23,543 |
Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Oregon
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 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public | 197 | $39,479 |
| 2 | University of Oregon Eugene Public | 186 | $30,200 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public | 104 | $31,512 |
| 4 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit | 38 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit | 23 | $35,349 |
| 6 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 7 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit | 21 | $28,697 |
| 8 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public | 16 | $30,632 |
| 9 | Pacific University Forest Grove Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 10 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls Public | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Oregon colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham | Public | 13 |
| Linfield University | McMinnville | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Treasure Valley Community College | Ontario | Public | 7 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 3 |
| Lane Community College | Eugene | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).
Top skills
What Conservation Scientists earn in Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+
Oregon State University (197 graduates a year), University of Oregon (186 graduates a year) and Portland State University (104 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Oregon colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
What is the best college for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, Oregon State University leads among bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,479, College Scorecard. University of Portland and Portland State University follow. By degrees awarded, Oregon State University is the largest, with 197 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Oregon State University tops the list at $39,479. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Oregon is $89,550 (median $80,790), across about 1,020 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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