Best colleges for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy by graduate earnings are Michigan State University ($48,967), West Virginia University ($47,232) and University of Rhode Island ($44,445), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $48,967, 21 graduates a year
- West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV): $47,232, 21 graduates a year
- University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI): $44,445, 77 graduates a year
- Glenville State University (Glenville, WV): $42,490, 37 graduates a year
- Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science (Paul Smiths, NY): $41,863, 26 graduates a year
Compare 158 U.S. colleges offering Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,422 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 03.02 and the Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs
The Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy program focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. This program is designed for individuals interested in addressing environmental challenges and promoting responsible use of natural resources through policy and management strategies.
Learn more about Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy →
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics related to environmental law, resource economics, land use planning, and public safety, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to navigate complex environmental issues.
Top 22 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,967 | 21 | 81% | — | $21,755 |
| 2 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,232 | 21 | 65% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,445 | 77 | 73% | — | $25,000 |
| 4 | Glenville State University Glenville, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,490 | 37 | 34% | — | $23,250 |
| 5 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,863 | 26 | 51% | $22,773 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Everglades University Boca Raton, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,859 | 30 | 61% | $29,513 | $47,000 |
| 7 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,971 | 28 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,553 | 105 | 51% | — | $22,132 |
| 9 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,422 | 241 | 70% | — | $34,429 |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,126 | 115 | 86% | — | $20,000 |
| 11 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,846 | 28 | 60% | — | $21,962 |
| 12 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,040 | 43 | 84% | — | $25,275 |
| 13 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,019 | 66 | 88% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,542 | 67 | 57% | — | $26,000 |
| 15 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,543 | 24 | 53% | — | $22,748 |
| 16 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,516 | 63 | 69% | — | $23,008 |
| 17 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,362 | 62 | 84% | — | $21,815 |
| 18 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,825 | 48 | 64% | — | $19,835 |
| 19 | Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $41,685 | 13 | 29% | $19,316 | $27,000 |
| 20 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,681 | 9 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 21 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,766 | 13 | 38% | — | $34,017 |
| 22 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,818 | 3 | 57% | — | $21,730 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
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 | Minnesota North College Hibbing, MN Public · Certificate | $45,589 | 33 | 42% | — | — |
| 2 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OH Public · Associate degree | $27,817 | 36 | 37% | — | $12,000 |
Specializations within Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
8 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 03.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Environmental/CIP 03.0201
Natural Resources Management and Policy 1,612 graduates / yr72 institutions35 states - Environmental/CIP 03.0204
Natural Resource Economics 323 graduates / yr19 institutions17 states - Environmental/CIP 03.0299
Natural Resources Management and Policy 315 graduates / yr21 institutions14 states - Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources ManagementCIP 03.0205293 graduates / yr32 institutions19 states
- Environmental/CIP 03.0208
Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services 222 graduates / yr21 institutions16 states - Environmental/CIP 03.0207
Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism 189 graduates / yr15 institutions14 states - Energy and Environmental PolicyCIP 03.0209New in CIP 202082 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states
- Land Use Planning and Management/CIP 03.0206
Development 81 graduates / yr14 institutions11 states
Show all 9 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Bioenergy03.0210
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-3051, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers in various fields related to natural resources and environmental management. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 3.1% and approximately 53,700 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is $76,290, typically requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 03.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 03.02 (Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy) maps to 19 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9072 | Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 13-1041 | Compliance Officers |
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientists |
| 19-1032 | Foresters |
| 19-3011 | Economists |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1043 | Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1111 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 33-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives |
| 33-1021 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers |
| 33-2011 | Firefighters |
| 33-2022 | Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists |
| 33-3021 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators |
| 33-3031 | Fish and Game Wardens |
| 33-3051 | Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officersprimary |
| 33-9092 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Environmental/Natural Resource Economics, Water Management, Land Use Planning, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.1% and around 53,700 annual openings.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most positions require at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn?+
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,422, College Scorecard (2019); the Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers occupation pays about $79,200 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy?+
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy maps to CIP 03.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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