Best institutions to study Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
A program that focuses on the application of economic concepts and methods to the analysis of issues such as air and water pollution, land use planning, waste disposal, invasive species and pest control, conservation policies, and related environmental problems.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 323 Environmental/Natural Resource Economics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0204, a specialization of Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (CIP 03.02), and leads most directly to the Economists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3011).
About Environmental/Natural Resource Economics programs
A program that focuses on the application of economic concepts and methods to the analysis of issues such as air and water pollution, land use planning, waste disposal, invasive species and pest control, conservation policies, and related environmental problems. Includes instruction in cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, evaluation and assessment of alternative resource management strategies, policy evaluation and monitoring, and descriptive and analytic tools for studying how environmental developments affect the economic system.
See also: 01.0103 - Agricultural Economics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental/Natural Resource Economics program focuses on applying economic principles to address environmental issues such as pollution, land use, and conservation policies. This program is designed for students interested in the intersection of economics and environmental management, preparing them to analyze and develop strategies for sustainable resource use.
Students in this program gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and data analysis. Coursework typically includes instruction in cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, and resource management strategies, equipping graduates with the tools to evaluate and address environmental challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental/Natural Resource Economics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree269 graduates / yr · 8 institutions83%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year22 graduates / yr · 5 institutions6.8%
- Master's degree18 graduates / yr · 4 institutions5.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
Graduates over time
Environmental/Natural Resource Economics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 89 |
| 2013 | 77 |
| 2014 | 87 |
| 2015 | 82 |
| 2016 | 110 |
| 2017 | 111 |
| 2018 | 87 |
| 2019 | 122 |
| 2020 | 142 |
| 2021 | 116 |
| 2022 | 136 |
| 2023 | 214 |
| 2024 | 182 |
| 2025 | 323 |
Top 19 institutions for Environmental/Natural Resource Economics, 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 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 166 | 93% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 73% | — | $44,445 |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 4 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 18 | 81% | — | $48,967 |
| 5 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 18 | 70% | — | $39,422 |
| 6 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 81% | — | — |
| 7 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor's | 9 | 76% | — | $41,681 |
| 8 | Tuskegee University Tuskegee, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 55% | $33,313 | — |
| 9 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor's | 6 | 74% | — | — |
| 10 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicDoctoral | 4 | 65% | — | $47,232 |
| 11 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Cupey Campus San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 31% | $8,290 | — |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 3 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 14 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 15 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 65% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 51% | — | $40,553 |
| 17 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 2 | 67% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 19 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 67% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy field (CIP 03.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 17 states & territories
Where Environmental/Natural Resource Economics graduates come from. Each state links to all Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 166 | University of California - Berkeley166 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 43 | University of Rhode Island43 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 23 | Loyola University Chicago20 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 21 | Michigan State University18 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 18 | Oregon State University18 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 9 | University of Delaware9 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 9 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus9 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 6 | Tuskegee University6 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 6 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville6 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 4 | West Virginia University4 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 4 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Cupey Campus4 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 3 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion3 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 3 | Western Washington University3 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 3 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point3 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 2 | Mississippi State University2 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 2 | University of Toledo2 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Rowan University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3011, Economists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Environmental/Natural Resource Economics can pursue careers as economists, social science research assistants, and economics teachers, among others. The job outlook for related occupations shows little to no change, with an estimated 900 annual openings and a median wage of $115,440, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0204
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Economistsprimary SOC 19-3011 | $124,720 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~900 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Science Research Assistants SOC 19-4061 | $61,990 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~5,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1063 | $123,920 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Environmental/Natural Resource Economics 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
- Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
- Review documents written by others.
- Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
Tools and technology used
Other Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (CIP 03.02).
- Environmental/CIP 03.0201
Natural Resources Management and Policy 1,612 graduates / yr72 institutions - Environmental/CIP 03.0299
Natural Resources Management and Policy 315 graduates / yr21 institutions - Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources ManagementCIP 03.0205293 graduates / yr32 institutions
- Environmental/CIP 03.0208
Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services 222 graduates / yr21 institutions - Environmental/CIP 03.0207
Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism 189 graduates / yr15 institutions - Energy and Environmental PolicyCIP 03.020982 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Land Use Planning and Management/CIP 03.0206
Development 81 graduates / yr14 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
See all Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or other certificates.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an economist, social science research assistant, or in various management roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is stable, with little change expected and a median wage of $115,440.
What is the CIP code for Environmental/Natural Resource Economics?+
Environmental/Natural Resource Economics is CIP 03.0204 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (CIP 03.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of economic concepts and methods to the analysis of issues such as air and water pollution, land use planning, waste disposal, invasive species and pest control, conservation policies, and related environmental problems. Includes instruction in cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, evaluation and assessment of alternative resource management strategies, policy evaluation and monitoring, and descriptive and analytic tools for studying how environmental developments affect the economic system.
How many institutions offer Environmental/Natural Resource Economics programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Environmental/Natural Resource Economics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states & territories, awarding 323 credentials in the year. That is 10.4% of all Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates.
How much do Environmental/Natural Resource Economics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Economists occupation, which Environmental/Natural Resource Economics most directly leads to, pays a median of $124,720 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy field report median earnings of $44,445 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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