Best institutions to study Land Use Planning and Management/Development
A program that focuses on how public and/or private land and associated resources can be preserved, developed, and used for maximum social, economic, and environmental benefit.
14 U.S. institutions graduated 81 Land Use Planning and Management/Development students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0206, a specialization of Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (CIP 03.02), and leads most directly to the Conservation Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1031).
About Land Use Planning and Management/Development programs
A program that focuses on how public and/or private land and associated resources can be preserved, developed, and used for maximum social, economic, and environmental benefit. Includes instruction in natural resources management, natural resource economics, public policy, regional and land use planning, environmental impact assessment, applicable law and regulations, government and politics, principles of business and real estate land use, statistical and analytical tools, computer applications, mapping and report preparation, site analysis, cost analysis, and communications skills.
See also: 04.0601 - Landscape Architecture., 31.0301 - Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Land Use Planning and Management/Development program focuses on the sustainable use and preservation of public and private land and its resources. It prepares students to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits through effective land management practices. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about environmental conservation and resource management.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in natural resources management, public policy, regional planning, and environmental impact assessment. Core skills include reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication, along with practical applications in mapping and site analysis.
Credentials awarded
What Land Use Planning and Management/Development graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree33 graduates / yr · 5 institutions41%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year28 graduates / yr · 5 institutions35%
- Master's degree13 graduates / yr · 1 institution16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.7%
Graduates over time
Land Use Planning and Management/Development completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 134 |
| 2013 | 100 |
| 2014 | 119 |
| 2015 | 123 |
| 2016 | 97 |
| 2017 | 108 |
| 2018 | 119 |
| 2019 | 116 |
| 2020 | 98 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 101 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 81 |
Top 14 institutions for Land Use Planning and Management/Development, 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 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 17 | 65% | — | $47,232 |
| 2 | Glenville State University Glenville, WVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 34% | — | $42,490 |
| 3 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster's | 13 | 89% | — | — |
| 4 | Marietta College Marietta, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 61% | $18,561 | — |
| 5 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 32% | — | — |
| 6 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicDoctoral | 4 | 69% | — | — |
| 7 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 59% | — | — |
| 8 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 51% | — | $40,553 |
| 10 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 59% | — | — |
| 11 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 67% | — | — |
| 12 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 46% | — | — |
| 13 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 41% | — | — |
| 14 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 74% | — | — |
* 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 11 states
Where Land Use Planning and Management/Development 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 2 | 33 | West Virginia University17 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 13 | University of Maryland - College Park13 / yr |
| Colorado | 3 | 9 | Metropolitan State University of Denver6 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 7 | Marietta College7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | Texas Tech University4 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 3 | Central Michigan University3 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 3 | Eastern Washington University3 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 3 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point3 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 3 | University of Wyoming3 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 2 | Weber State University2 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1031, Conservation Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Land Use Planning and Management/Development program can pursue careers as Conservation Scientists, with an expected job growth of 3.4% and approximately 2,500 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $67,950, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0206
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 |
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1043 | $101,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~100 | 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 Land Use Planning and Management/Development 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 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 - 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
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 is the focus of this program?+
The program focuses on sustainable land use and resource management for maximum benefit.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and natural resource management.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Conservation Scientist or in related fields with a Bachelor's degree.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.4%.
What is the CIP code for Land Use Planning and Management/Development?+
Land Use Planning and Management/Development is CIP 03.0206 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 how public and/or private land and associated resources can be preserved, developed, and used for maximum social, economic, and environmental benefit. Includes instruction in natural resources management, natural resource economics, public policy, regional and land use planning, environmental impact assessment, applicable law and regulations, government and politics, principles of business and real estate land use, statistical and analytical tools, computer applications, mapping and report preparation, site analysis, cost analysis, and communications skills.
How many institutions offer Land Use Planning and Management/Development programs?+
14 U.S. institutions reported Land Use Planning and Management/Development graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 81 credentials in the year. That is 2.6% of all Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates.
How much do Land Use Planning and Management/Development graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Conservation Scientists occupation, which Land Use Planning and Management/Development most directly leads to, pays a median of $73,010 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy field report median earnings of $42,490 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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