Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Villanova University, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are the top bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Villanova University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $56,549, College Scorecard. University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Pennsylvania State University award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Pennsylvania: 127, 59 and 47 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 66 Pennsylvania colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 823 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 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,549 | 59 | 92% | $33,774 | — |
| 2 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,477 | 24 | 54% | — | $26,250 |
| 3 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,068 | 23 | 56% | — | $24,125 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,330 | 47 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,345 | 23 | 52% | — | — |
| 6 | Temple University Philadelphia Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,817 | 45 | 75% | — | $25,000 |
| 7 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,835 | 24 | 78% | $36,004 | $28,956 |
| 8 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,428 | 27 | 83% | $24,453 | $24,889 |
| 9 | Dickinson College Carlisle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,663 | 43 | 80% | $22,831 | $18,402 |
| 10 | Bucknell University Lewisburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,698 | 16 | 86% | $30,675 | $26,798 |
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 | Lackawanna College Scranton Private not-for-profit · Certificate Small program | $31,301 | 7 | 37% | $25,320 | $11,024 |
Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 127 | Not reported |
| 2 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit | 59 | $56,549 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 47 | $37,330 |
| 4 | Temple University Philadelphia Public | 45 | $31,817 |
| 5 | Dickinson College Carlisle Private not-for-profit | 43 | $27,663 |
| 6 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg Private not-for-profit | 27 | $29,428 |
| 7 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 24 | $30,835 |
| 8 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public | 24 | $40,477 |
| 9 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg Public | 23 | $39,068 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public | 23 | $36,345 |
ShowHide the other 56 Pennsylvania colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr | Private not-for-profit | 18 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock | Public | 17 |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Lafayette College | Easton | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Haverford College | Haverford | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Public | 13 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Delaware Valley University | Doylestown | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie | Public | 11 |
| Swarthmore College | Swarthmore | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Bucks County Community College | Newtown | Public | 10 |
| Juniata College | Huntingdon | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Gannon University | Erie | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Lackawanna College | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem | Public | 7 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | Public | 6 |
| Muhlenberg College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Annville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Public | 5 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Altoona | Altoona | Public | 5 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Bradford | Public | 5 |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Washington & Jefferson College | Washington | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Westminster College | New Wilmington | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | Harrisburg | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| King's College | Wilkes-Barre | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Moravian University | Bethlehem | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Saint Vincent College | Latrobe | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville | Public | 3 |
| Thiel College | Greenville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Albright College | Reading | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Eastern University | Saint Davids | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Keystone College | La Plume | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Lincoln University | Lincoln University | Public | 2 |
| Misericordia University | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Waynesburg University | Waynesburg | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Wilson College | Chambersburg | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Alvernia University | Reading | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Community College of Beaver County | Monaca | Public | 1 |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Chestnut Hill College | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Marywood University | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Widener University | Chester | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).
Top skills
What Conservation Scientists earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+
University of Pennsylvania (127 graduates a year), Villanova University (59 graduates a year) and Pennsylvania State University (47 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 66 Pennsylvania colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
What is the best college for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Villanova University leads among bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $56,549, College Scorecard. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania follow. By degrees awarded, University of Pennsylvania is the largest, with 127 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Villanova University tops the list at $56,549. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Pennsylvania is $63,760 (median $61,480), across about 900 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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