Best colleges for Wildlife
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 recreational, commercial, and ecological purposes.
88 U.S. institutions graduated 2,509 Wildlife students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0601, a specialization of Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (CIP 03.06), and leads most directly to the Conservation Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1031).
About Wildlife programs
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 recreational, commercial, and ecological purposes. Includes instruction in wildlife biology, marine/aquatic biology, environmental science, freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, natural resources management and policy, outdoor recreation and parks management, the design and operation of natural and artificial wildlife habitats, applicable law and regulations, and related administrative and communications skills.
See also: 26.0709 - Wildlife Biology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management program prepares individuals to conserve and manage wilderness areas, including their flora and aquatic life. This program is ideal for students passionate about environmental conservation and those looking to work in wildlife reservations or zoological facilities for various purposes, including recreation and ecology.
Students will gain knowledge in wildlife biology, environmental science, and natural resources management. Coursework typically includes the design and operation of wildlife habitats, applicable laws and regulations, and essential administrative and communication skills.
Credentials awarded
What Wildlife graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,869 graduates / yr · 54 institutions75%
- Master's degree244 graduates / yr · 21 institutions9.7%
- Associate's degree173 graduates / yr · 23 institutions6.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year110 graduates / yr · 9 institutions4.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate61 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship41 graduates / yr · 11 institutions1.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
Graduates over time
Wildlife completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,667 |
| 2013 | 1,880 |
| 2014 | 1,905 |
| 2015 | 2,112 |
| 2016 | 2,047 |
| 2017 | 2,352 |
| 2018 | 2,181 |
| 2019 | 2,372 |
| 2020 | 2,306 |
| 2021 | 2,425 |
| 2022 | 2,412 |
| 2023 | 2,361 |
| 2024 | 2,387 |
| 2025 | 2,509 |
Top 50 institutions for Wildlife, 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 170 | 70% | — | — |
| 2 | Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 135 | 29% | $19,316 | $29,312 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 128 | 91% | — | $23,715 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicBachelor's | 92 | 51% | — | $27,273 |
| 5 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 79 | 67% | — | $30,247 |
| 6 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor's | 77 | 49% | — | $26,325 |
| 7 | University of California-Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 73 | 86% | — | $29,896 |
| 8 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 70 | 48% | — | $28,339 |
| 9 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 66 | 81% | — | $27,762 |
| 10 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 66 | 86% | — | $25,563 |
| 11 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 66 | 65% | — | $29,470 |
| 12 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicBachelor's | 65 | 48% | — | — |
| 13 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 59 | 56% | $25,402 | $28,178 |
| 14 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 74% | — | $30,924 |
| 15 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 52 | 73% | — | $25,523 |
| 16 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 52 | 87% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 46 | 81% | — | $22,411 |
| 18 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 46 | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 42 | 90% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 41 | 90% | — | $22,354 |
| 21 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OHPublicAssociate's | 41 | 37% | — | $26,914 |
| 22 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 62% | — | $39,483 |
| 23 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 37 | 82% | — | $28,748 |
| 24 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 61% | — | $32,402 |
| 25 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 55% | — | $27,636 |
| 26 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MNPublicBachelor's | 36 | 48% | — | $35,806 |
| 27 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 35 | 42% | — | — |
| 28 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NHPublicBachelor's | 34 | 76% | — | $27,698 |
| 29 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TNPublicBachelor's | 34 | 58% | — | $29,936 |
| 30 | New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 30 | 55% | — | $33,603 |
| 31 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor's | 29 | 61% | — | $33,351 |
| 32 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 38% | — | — |
| 33 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 49% | — | $28,652 |
| 34 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor's | 28 | 57% | — | $31,022 |
| 35 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 55% | $6,760 | $39,896 |
| 36 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicBachelor's | 25 | 42% | — | — |
| 37 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor's | 23 | 68% | — | — |
| 38 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 23 | 58% | — | $26,549 |
| 39 | Southwest Texas College Uvalde, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 23 | 31% | — | — |
| 40 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 52% | — | — |
| 41 | Finger Lakes Community College Canandaigua, NYPublicAssociate's | 22 | 30% | — | — |
| 42 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor's | 21 | 61% | — | $28,751 |
| 43 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicMaster's | 21 | 59% | — | $27,996 |
| 44 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 35% | — | $36,860 |
| 45 | Southeastern Illinois College Harrisburg, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 18 | 55% | — | — |
| 46 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 51% | $22,773 | $35,979 |
| 47 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 57% | — | — |
| 48 | Juniata College Huntingdon, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 74% | $24,867 | — |
| 49 | Otterbein University Westerville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 68% | $20,150 | $19,801 |
| 50 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 69% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management field (CIP 03.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 42 states & territories
Where Wildlife graduates come from. Each state links to all Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1031, Conservation Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Conservation Scientists, Zoologists, and Wildlife Biologists. The job outlook for these roles is about as fast as average, with an estimated 2,500 annual openings and a median wage of $67,950, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0601
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 |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists SOC 19-1023 | $76,780 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~1,400 | 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 Wildlife 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
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Associate's degree, along with shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and active listening.
What types of jobs can I get?+
You can work as a Conservation Scientist, Zoologist, or in related teaching positions.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a median wage of $67,950.
What is the CIP code for Wildlife?+
Wildlife is CIP 03.0601 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (CIP 03.06). NCES defines it as: 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 recreational, commercial, and ecological purposes. Includes instruction in wildlife biology, marine/aquatic biology, environmental science, freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, natural resources management and policy, outdoor recreation and parks management, the design and operation of natural and artificial wildlife habitats, applicable law and regulations, and related administrative and communications skills.
How many institutions offer Wildlife programs?+
88 U.S. institutions reported Wildlife graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states & territories, awarding 2,509 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates.
How much do Wildlife graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Conservation Scientists occupation, which Wildlife most directly leads to, pays a median of $73,010 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,748, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates, so its figures match the Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program page.
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