Best institutions to study Conservation Biology
A program that focuses on the application of the biological sciences to the specific problems of biodiversity, species preservation, ecological sustainability, and habitat fragmentation in the face of advancing human social, economic, and industrial pressures.
37 U.S. institutions graduated 405 Conservation Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1307, a specialization of Ecology (CIP 26.13), and leads most directly to the Conservation Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1031).
About Conservation Biology programs
A program that focuses on the application of the biological sciences to the specific problems of biodiversity, species preservation, ecological sustainability, and habitat fragmentation in the face of advancing human social, economic, and industrial pressures. Includes instruction in ecology, environmental science, biological systems, extinction theory, human-animal and human-plant interaction, ecosystem science and management, wetland conservation, field biology, forest and wildlife biology, and natural history.
See also: 03.0101 - Natural Resources/Conservation, General., 03.0104 - Environmental Science.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Conservation Biology program, a subset of Ecology, is designed for students passionate about preserving biodiversity and promoting ecological sustainability. This program addresses the pressing challenges of habitat fragmentation and species preservation in light of human activities, equipping students with the necessary skills to tackle these issues effectively.
Students in this program will gain a comprehensive understanding of ecological principles, environmental science, and biological systems. Coursework typically includes topics such as extinction theory, ecosystem management, and field biology, fostering critical skills in reading comprehension, science, and critical thinking.
Credentials awarded
What Conservation Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree231 graduates / yr · 22 institutions57%
- Master's degree147 graduates / yr · 12 institutions36%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Conservation Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 243 |
| 2013 | 281 |
| 2014 | 294 |
| 2015 | 290 |
| 2016 | 267 |
| 2017 | 301 |
| 2018 | 267 |
| 2019 | 310 |
| 2020 | 322 |
| 2021 | 289 |
| 2022 | 335 |
| 2023 | 405 |
| 2024 | 556 |
| 2025 | 405 |
Top 37 institutions for Conservation Biology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 85 | 66% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 49 | 90% | — | $28,856 |
| 3 | Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, MEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 38 | 29% | $19,316 | — |
| 4 | University of West Alabama Livingston, ALPublicMaster's | 21 | 35% | — | — |
| 5 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 6 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 57% | — | $31,656 |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 8 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 42% | $22,259 | — |
| 9 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 10 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 11 | St Lawrence University Canton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 79% | $24,100 | $17,443 |
| 12 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 13 | Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 50% | $18,981 | — |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicMaster's | 9 | 55% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 30% | — | — |
| 16 | Grove City College Grove City, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 17 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 76% | $31,900 | — |
| 18 | Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CTPublicMaster's | 6 | 52% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicDoctoral | 6 | 78% | — | — |
| 20 | Friends University Wichita, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 43% | $24,084 | — |
| 21 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster's | 6 | 59% | — | — |
| 22 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 51% | — | — |
| 23 | Saint Anselm College Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 80% | $29,600 | — |
| 24 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 68% | — | — |
| 25 | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SDPublicBachelor's | 4 | 60% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster's | 3 | 83% | — | $32,882 |
| 27 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster's | 3 | 77% | — | — |
| 28 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 74% | $22,391 | — |
| 29 | Thiel College Greenville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 49% | $22,464 | — |
| 30 | Union University Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 66% | $25,882 | — |
| 31 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 52% | — | — |
| 32 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 33 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 51% | $25,813 | — |
| 34 | Wheaton College Wheaton, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 85% | $23,461 | — |
| 35 | Frostburg State University Frostburg, MDPublicMaster's | 1 | 50% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 57% | — | — |
| 37 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 61% | $24,872 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ecology field (CIP 26.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Conservation Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Ecology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 5 | 110 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry85 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 58 | University of Wisconsin - Madison49 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 38 | Unity Environmental University38 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 33 | Tufts University21 / yr |
| Florida | 4 | 21 | Florida Institute of Technology11 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 21 | University of West Alabama21 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 17 | Loyola University Chicago16 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 17 | University of Idaho17 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 15 | Central Michigan University6 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 14 | Warren Wilson College13 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 12 | Lincoln Memorial University9 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 10 | Grove City College7 / yr |
| Connecticut | 2 | 9 | Western Connecticut State University6 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 7 | University of Alaska Anchorage7 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 7 | Seattle University7 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 6 | Friends University6 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 4 | Saint Anselm College4 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 4 | University of South Dakota4 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Frostburg State University1 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | University of Missouri - St Louis1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1031, Conservation Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Conservation Biology program can pursue careers as Conservation Scientists, with an average growth rate of 3.4% and approximately 2,500 annual job openings. The median wage for this field is around $67,950, and a Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1307
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservation Scientistsprimary SOC 19-1031 | $73,010 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1053 | $94,980 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Conservation Biology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
Tools and technology used
Other Ecology specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ecology (CIP 26.13).
- EpidemiologyCIP 26.13093,001 graduates / yr102 institutions
- Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyCIP 26.13022,636 graduates / yr84 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.13011,166 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1310879 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Environmental BiologyCIP 26.1305481 graduates / yr51 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.1399344 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Epidemiology and BiostatisticsCIP 26.1311248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1303192 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Aquatic Biology/CIP 26.1304
Limnology partial data126 graduates / yr9 institutions - Systematic Biology/CIP 26.1308
Biological Systematics limited data24 graduates / yr2 institutions - Population BiologyCIP 26.1306partial data10 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What is Conservation Biology?+
Conservation Biology focuses on biodiversity, species preservation, and ecological sustainability.
What degree do I need for a career in this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Conservation Scientist or in related fields such as teaching or research.
What is the CIP code for Conservation Biology?+
Conservation Biology is CIP 26.1307 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ecology (CIP 26.13). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of the biological sciences to the specific problems of biodiversity, species preservation, ecological sustainability, and habitat fragmentation in the face of advancing human social, economic, and industrial pressures. Includes instruction in ecology, environmental science, biological systems, extinction theory, human-animal and human-plant interaction, ecosystem science and management, wetland conservation, field biology, forest and wildlife biology, and natural history.
How many institutions offer Conservation Biology programs?+
37 U.S. institutions reported Conservation Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 405 credentials in the year. That is 4.3% of all Ecology graduates.
How much do Conservation Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Conservation Scientists occupation, which Conservation Biology most directly leads to, pays a median of $73,010 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ecology field report median earnings of $31,656 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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