Wisconsin · Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Best colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Wisconsin

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay are the top bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Wisconsin by graduate earnings. University of Wisconsin-River Falls leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,408, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Wisconsin: 387, 50 and 39 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Wisconsin colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research and award 697 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
23
offering CIP 03.01
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
697
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$32,205
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
8
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,601
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
60%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Conservation Scientists
$77,760
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 7 bachelor's programs, 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
1University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,4082557%—$22,163
2University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,2623949%—$28,000
3University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,2055048%—$23,202
4University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,82438790%—$19,500
5University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$35,6931959%—$21,507
6University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$31,1281655%—$27,000
7Carthage College
Kenosha Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$25,5531464%$22,844$27,000

Top certificate or associate program

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.

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
1Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton Public · Associate degree
$32,9962065%—$10,846

Colleges awarding the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Wisconsin

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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)
1University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Public
387$28,824
2University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay Public
50$32,205
3University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public
39$33,262
4University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls Public
25$33,408
5University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Oshkosh Public
21Not reported
6University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public
19$35,693
7Marquette University
Milwaukee Private not-for-profit
17Not reported
8University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie Public
16$31,128
9Carthage College
Kenosha Private not-for-profit
14$25,553
10University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Platteville Public
14Not reported
Show the other 13 Wisconsin colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppletonPublic20
University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens PointPublic14
University of Wisconsin-ParksideKenoshaPublic12
University of Wisconsin-SuperiorSuperiorPublic11
Edgewood UniversityMadisonPrivate not-for-profit8
Carroll UniversityWaukeshaPrivate not-for-profit5
Concordia University - WisconsinMequonPrivate not-for-profit5
Lawrence UniversityAppletonPrivate not-for-profit5
Ripon CollegeRiponPrivate not-for-profit5
Saint Norbert CollegeDe PerePrivate not-for-profit3
Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukeePrivate not-for-profit3
College of Menominee NationKeshenaPrivate not-for-profit3
Beloit CollegeBeloitPrivate not-for-profit1

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 Wisconsin

Jobs in Wisconsin
970
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$77,760
median $79,540
Best-paying metro
$83,870
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

Related careers

Compliance Officers
$84,320 avg · 5,710 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$77,760 avg · 970 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$77,840 avg · 920 jobs
Forest and Conservation Technicians
$60,590 avg · 620 jobs
Foresters
$68,220 avg · 570 jobs
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
$58,470 avg · 380 jobs

Common questions

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

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

University of Wisconsin-Madison (387 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (50 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (39 graduates a year) award the most Natural Resources Conservation and Research degrees in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Wisconsin colleges offer Natural Resources Conservation and Research.

What is the best college for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Wisconsin?+

By graduate earnings, University of Wisconsin-River Falls leads among bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in Wisconsin, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,408, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay follow. By degrees awarded, University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest, with 387 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-River Falls tops the list at $33,408. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Conservation Scientists earn in Wisconsin?+

The average annual wage for Conservation Scientists in Wisconsin is $77,760 (median $79,540), across about 970 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 ColumbiaWest VirginiaKansasOklahomaNew JerseyArizonaRhode Island

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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