West Virginia · Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in West Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

Marshall University, West Virginia University and Shepherd University award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees and certificates in West Virginia: 16, 16 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 West Virginia colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 375 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Natural Resources Conservation and Research program focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges and promote…

Institutions
6
offering CIP 03.01
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
375
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$29,921
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,325
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
53%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Conservation Scientists
$75,350
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1American Public University System
Charles Town Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online
$50,26032957%$10,199$23,875
2Shepherd University
Shepherdstown Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$29,9211051%—$25,000

Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in West Virginia

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Marshall University
Huntington Public
16Not reported
2West Virginia University
Morgantown Public
16Not reported
3Shepherd University
Shepherdstown Public
10$29,921
4Davis & Elkins College
Elkins Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
5West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
Show the other 1 West Virginia colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
American Public University System (Online)Charles TownPrivate for-profit329

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$67,950
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingScienceWritingCritical Thinking

What Conservation Scientists earn in West Virginia

Jobs in West Virginia
160
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$75,350
median $69,910
Best-paying metro
$83,560
Charleston, WV

Related careers

Compliance Officers
$74,330 avg · 1,720 jobs
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
$53,320 avg · 750 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$84,920 avg · 250 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$75,350 avg · 160 jobs
Forest and Conservation Technicians
$57,630 avg · 100 jobs
Foresters
$63,560 avg · 100 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in West Virginia.

Which West Virginia colleges award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees?+

Marshall University (16 graduates a year), West Virginia University (16 graduates a year) and Shepherd University (10 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees and certificates in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 West Virginia colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.

How much do Conservation Scientists earn in West Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in West Virginia is $75,350 (median $69,910), across about 160 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Natural Resources Conservation and Research program?+

The Natural Resources Conservation and Research program focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges and promote…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, science, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Conservation Scientists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.4% growth with around 2,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Natural Resources Conservation and Research in other statesAlabamaDistrict of ColumbiaKansasOklahomaNew JerseyArizonaRhode IslandVermont

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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