Best institutions to study Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Compare 88 U.S. colleges offering Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 42 states.
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs report a median of $28,748 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 03.06 and the Conservation Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs
The Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program focuses on the conservation and management of wildlife and natural habitats. It is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in natural resources and conservation, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in managing ecosystems. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges effectively.
Learn more about Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management →
Students in this program will gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active learning. Coursework covers essential knowledge areas such as biology, geography, and environmental science, preparing graduates to apply scientific principles to conservation efforts and land management practices.
Top 39 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valley City State University Valley City, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,253 | 9 | 53% | — | $25,500 |
| 2 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,896 | 28 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 3 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,483 | 39 | 62% | — | $24,798 |
| 4 | Front Range Community College Westminster, CO Public · Certificate degree | $36,860 | 18 | 35% | — | $19,677 |
| 5 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,758 | 9 | 54% | — | — |
| 6 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,979 | 17 | 51% | $22,773 | $24,874 |
| 7 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,806 | 36 | 48% | — | $22,301 |
| 8 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,603 | 30 | 55% | — | $16,449 |
| 9 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,351 | 29 | 61% | — | $21,150 |
| 10 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Certificate degree | $32,402 | 37 | 61% | — | $20,000 |
| 11 | Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,199 | 14 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,022 | 28 | 57% | — | $26,500 |
| 13 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,924 | 53 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,247 | 79 | 67% | — | $25,750 |
| 15 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,936 | 34 | 58% | — | $13,673 |
| 16 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,896 | 73 | 86% | — | $15,499 |
| 17 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,470 | 66 | 65% | — | $24,500 |
| 18 | Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,312 | 135 | 29% | $19,316 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Murray State University Murray, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,751 | 21 | 61% | — | $21,500 |
| 20 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,748 | 37 | 82% | — | $25,740 |
| 21 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,652 | 28 | 49% | — | $20,500 |
| 22 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,339 | 70 | 48% | — | $25,000 |
| 23 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,178 | 59 | 56% | $25,402 | $26,420 |
| 24 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,996 | 21 | 59% | — | $21,000 |
| 25 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,762 | 66 | 81% | — | $28,425 |
| 26 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,698 | 34 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 27 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,636 | 36 | 55% | — | $26,893 |
| 28 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,273 | 92 | 51% | — | $25,556 |
| 29 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OH Public · Associate degree | $26,914 | 41 | 37% | — | $12,500 |
| 30 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,549 | 23 | 58% | — | $23,937 |
| 31 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,325 | 77 | 49% | — | $22,500 |
| 32 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,563 | 66 | 86% | — | $21,500 |
| 33 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,523 | 52 | 73% | — | $25,000 |
| 34 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,492 | 10 | 50% | — | $19,224 |
| 35 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,715 | 128 | 91% | — | $20,872 |
| 36 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,411 | 46 | 81% | — | $25,572 |
| 37 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,354 | 41 | 90% | — | $25,154 |
| 38 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,295 | 14 | 43% | — | $19,866 |
| 39 | Otterbein University Westerville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,801 | 15 | 68% | $20,150 | $25,850 |
Offered across 42 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 19-1031, Conservation Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program can expect a job outlook that is about as fast as average, with an annual opening of approximately 2,500 positions. The typical education required is a Bachelor's degree, and the median wage for professionals in this field is around $67,950.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 03.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 03.06 (Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-1023 | Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists |
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientistsprimary |
| 25-1043 | Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management 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
- 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.
Concentrations within Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and ManagementCIP 03.0601
A program that prepares individuals to conserve and manage wilderness areas and the flora, marine and aquatic life therein, and manage wildlife reservations and zoological/aquarium facilities for recr
Common questions
What is the focus of the Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program?+
The program focuses on the conservation and management of wildlife and natural habitats.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and scientific principles relevant to conservation.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with around 2,500 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates earn?+
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates report median earnings of $28,748 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Conservation Scientists occupation pays about $77,130 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management?+
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management maps to CIP 03.06 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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