Best institutions to study Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
A program that prepares individuals to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources.
72 U.S. institutions graduated 1,612 Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0201, 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 Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs
A program that prepares individuals to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. Includes instruction in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy program prepares students to effectively plan, develop, manage, and evaluate initiatives aimed at protecting natural habitats and renewable resources. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about conservation, environmental science, and sustainable management practices.
Students in this program gain essential skills in wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, and natural resource economics. Coursework typically includes management techniques for various habitats, applicable laws and policies, and communication skills necessary for public relations.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree740 graduates / yr · 37 institutions46%
- Master's degree622 graduates / yr · 23 institutions39%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate151 graduates / yr · 10 institutions9.4%
- Associate's degree47 graduates / yr · 11 institutions2.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year29 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks10 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,248 |
| 2013 | 1,132 |
| 2014 | 1,225 |
| 2015 | 1,332 |
| 2016 | 1,345 |
| 2017 | 1,411 |
| 2018 | 1,370 |
| 2019 | 1,439 |
| 2020 | 1,574 |
| 2021 | 1,619 |
| 2022 | 1,585 |
| 2023 | 1,672 |
| 2024 | 1,611 |
| 2025 | 1,612 |
Top 50 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 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 196 | 70% | — | $39,422 |
| 2 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 165 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 138 | 86% | — | — |
| 4 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 112 | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 5 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 98 | 67% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster's | 67 | 57% | — | $34,542 |
| 7 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor's | 63 | 69% | — | $32,516 |
| 8 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 61 | 83% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 48 | 64% | — | $20,825 |
| 10 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 48 | 84% | — | $30,362 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 51% | — | $40,553 |
| 12 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 43 | 84% | — | $36,040 |
| 13 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 14 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 30 | 66% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicMaster's | 30 | 73% | — | $44,445 |
| 16 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 29 | 43% | — | — |
| 17 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicBachelor's | 28 | 60% | — | $36,846 |
| 18 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 64% | — | $40,971 |
| 19 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 28 | 88% | — | $35,019 |
| 20 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 85% | — | — |
| 21 | The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TNPublicBachelor's | 24 | 53% | — | $33,543 |
| 22 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 51% | $22,773 | $41,863 |
| 23 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 17 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 24 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 17 | 28% | — | — |
| 25 | Angelo State University San Angelo, TXPublicBachelor's | 15 | 44% | — | — |
| 26 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 80% | $33,867 | — |
| 27 | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 13 | 27% | — | — |
| 28 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | 88% | $26,912 | — |
| 29 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 11 | 82% | — | — |
| 30 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicBachelor's | 10 | 42% | — | — |
| 31 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster's | 8 | 74% | — | — |
| 32 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 33 | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter, SCPublicAssociate's | 8 | 34% | — | — |
| 34 | Sul Ross State University Alpine, TXPublicBachelor's | 8 | 30% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 68% | — | — |
| 36 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster's | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 37 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 24% | — | — |
| 38 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, IDPublicAssociate's | 6 | 33% | — | — |
| 39 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 40 | Delaware State University Dover, DEPublicBachelor's | 5 | 39% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 4 | 93% | — | — |
| 42 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 32% | — | — |
| 43 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 44 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicMaster's | 4 | 53% | — | — |
| 45 | Everglades University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 61% | $29,513 | $41,859 |
| 46 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 47 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicMaster's | 3 | 60% | — | — |
| 48 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 49 | Dordt University Sioux Center, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 70% | $24,569 | — |
| 50 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 81% | — | $48,967 |
* 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 35 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.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1031, Conservation Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Conservation Scientists, with a job outlook that is about as fast as average, featuring an annual opening of 2,500 positions. The median wage for this field is $67,950, with most positions requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0201
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 |
Foresters SOC 19-1032 | $76,400 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~1,100 | 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 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
- 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 03.0204
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
- 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, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and various scientific principles.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Conservation Scientist, Forester, or a Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.4% and 2,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy?+
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy is CIP 03.0201 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 prepares individuals to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. Includes instruction in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.
How many institutions offer Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs?+
72 U.S. institutions reported Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 35 states, awarding 1,612 credentials in the year. That is 51.7% 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 Conservation Scientists occupation, which Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy 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 $36,846 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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