Best colleges for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management by graduate earnings are Brigham Young University - Idaho ($39,896), South Dakota State University ($39,483) and Bemidji State University ($35,806), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Brigham Young University - Idaho (Rexburg, ID): $39,896, 28 graduates a year
- South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD): $39,483, 39 graduates a year
- Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN): $35,806, 36 graduates a year
- New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, NM): $33,603, 30 graduates a year
- University of Nevada-Reno (Reno, NV): $33,351, 29 graduates a year
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,748 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,896 | 28 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,483 | 39 | 62% | — | $24,798 |
| 3 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,806 | 36 | 48% | — | $22,301 |
| 4 | New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,603 | 30 | 55% | — | $16,449 |
| 5 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,351 | 29 | 61% | — | $21,150 |
| 6 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,022 | 28 | 57% | — | $26,500 |
| 7 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,924 | 53 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,247 | 79 | 67% | — | $25,750 |
| 9 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,936 | 34 | 58% | — | $13,673 |
| 10 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,896 | 73 | 86% | — | $15,499 |
| 11 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,470 | 66 | 65% | — | $24,500 |
| 12 | Murray State University Murray, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,751 | 21 | 61% | — | $21,500 |
| 13 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,748 | 37 | 82% | — | $25,740 |
| 14 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,652 | 28 | 49% | — | $20,500 |
| 15 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,339 | 70 | 48% | — | $25,000 |
| 16 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,178 | 59 | 56% | $25,402 | $26,420 |
| 17 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,996 | 21 | 59% | — | $21,000 |
| 18 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,762 | 66 | 81% | — | $28,425 |
| 19 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,698 | 34 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 20 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,636 | 36 | 55% | — | $26,893 |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,273 | 92 | 51% | — | $25,556 |
| 22 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,549 | 23 | 58% | — | $23,937 |
| 23 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,325 | 77 | 49% | — | $22,500 |
| 24 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,563 | 66 | 86% | — | $21,500 |
| 25 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,523 | 52 | 73% | — | $25,000 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Certificate | $32,402 | 37 | 61% | — | $20,000 |
| 2 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OH Public · Associate degree | $26,914 | 41 | 37% | — | $12,500 |
| 3 | Front Range Community College Westminster, CO Public · Certificate Small program | $36,860 | 18 | 35% | — | $19,677 |
Specializations within Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 03.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,748, College Scorecard (2019); 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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