Best institutions to study Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Any instructional program in environmental or natural resources management and policy not listed above.
21 U.S. institutions graduated 315 Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0299, a specialization of Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (CIP 03.02), and leads most directly to the Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1043).
About Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs
Any instructional program in environmental or natural resources management and policy not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy program focuses on the principles and practices involved in managing and conserving natural resources. This program is designed for students interested in environmental policy, resource management, and sustainability, preparing them for various roles in the field of natural resources and conservation.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and active listening, alongside knowledge in biology, geography, and environmental science. Coursework may include topics such as forest resource policy and conservation strategies.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree236 graduates / yr · 10 institutions75%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year29 graduates / yr · 7 institutions9.2%
- Associate's degree27 graduates / yr · 5 institutions8.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.2%
- Master's degree7 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
Graduates over time
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 943 |
| 2013 | 795 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 414 |
| 2016 | 458 |
| 2017 | 529 |
| 2018 | 502 |
| 2019 | 495 |
| 2020 | 389 |
| 2021 | 399 |
| 2022 | 383 |
| 2023 | 339 |
| 2024 | 360 |
| 2025 | 315 |
Top 21 institutions for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, 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 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 115 | 86% | — | $37,126 |
| 2 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 38 | 88% | — | $35,019 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 26 | 34% | — | — |
| 4 | Glenville State University Glenville, WVPublicBachelor's | 21 | 34% | — | $42,490 |
| 5 | Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 43% | — | — |
| 6 | Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 31% | — | — |
| 7 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FLPublicBachelor's | 13 | 38% | — | $38,766 |
| 8 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 59% | — | — |
| 9 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OHPublicAssociate's | 11 | 37% | — | $27,817 |
| 10 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 10 | 40% | — | — |
| 11 | California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 50% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Redlands Redlands, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 67% | $22,706 | — |
| 13 | Everglades University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 61% | $29,513 | $41,859 |
| 14 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 21% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 73% | — | $44,445 |
| 16 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 17 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 65% | — | — |
| 18 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 19 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 20 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 65% | — | — |
| 21 | Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Hayward, WIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 23% | — | — |
* 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 14 states
Where Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy 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 | 4 | 130 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo115 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 49 | Ohio State University - Main Campus38 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 34 | Ogeechee Technical College18 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 26 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus26 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 21 | Glenville State University21 / yr |
| Florida | 3 | 20 | St Petersburg College13 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 12 | Central Michigan University12 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 10 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff10 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 4 | Pikes Peak State College4 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 4 | University of Rhode Island4 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 2 | University of Minnesota - Duluth2 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | Portland State University1 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 1 | Western Washington University1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1043, Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates from the Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy program can pursue careers as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers or in other related fields. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 4% and approximately 100 annual openings, offering a median wage of $100,830 for those with a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0299
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1043 | $101,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~100 | 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 Resources Management and Policy 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
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics, such as forest resource policy, forest pathology, and mapping.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise students' laboratory or field work.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
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 03.0204
Natural Resource Economics 323 graduates / yr19 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or a shorter award of at least 12 weeks.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 21 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active listening, and more.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about 4% growth annually, with a median wage of $100,830.
What is the CIP code for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy?+
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy is CIP 03.0299 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: Any instructional program in environmental or natural resources management and policy not listed above.
How many institutions offer Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs?+
21 U.S. institutions reported Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 315 credentials in the year. That is 10.1% of all Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates.
How much do Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,420 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy field report median earnings of $38,766 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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