Best Natural Resources Conservation and Research Schools in California

California has 30 colleges offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,248 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $35,314 on average within two years — 9% above the national average of $32,304, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: University of Southern California graduates earn $38,313 while Whittier College graduates earn $25,194 — a $13,119 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$35,314

CA Avg. Earnings

$32,304

National Avg.

321

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California

Public Schools (21)

$36,043

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (7)

$33,183

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Natural Resources Conservation and Research Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$38,313

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$46,673

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,250

Graduates: 302

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$41,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,898

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 8.7%

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$37,568

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,333

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 43.8%

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$28,816

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,134

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 93.7%

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$30,305

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,533

Graduates: 78

Acceptance: 94.7%

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,140

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 24.5%

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$38,018

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,231

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 93.6%

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$41,406

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,746

Graduates: 164

Acceptance: 41.6%

#10

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$30,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,304

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 63.3%

#11

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$37,568

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,029

Graduates: 234

Acceptance: 27.8%

#12

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$34,298

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,965

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 47.1%

#13

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$30,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,794

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 96.2%

#14

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,369

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 25.6%

#15

Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$37,208

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,948

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 39.9%

#16

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,625

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 96.8%

#17

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$38,034

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,738

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 46.8%

#19

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$37,208

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,271

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 34.4%

#20

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$21,508

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,045

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 98.3%

#21

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,863

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 80.9%

#22

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,705

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 95.7%

#23

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$31,795

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,299

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: N/A

#24

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$29,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,054

Graduates: 242

Acceptance: 62.5%

#25

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,617

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 50.8%

#26

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$32,569

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,908

Graduates: 85

Acceptance: 94.8%

#27

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$24,885

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,601

Graduates: 148

Acceptance: 98.8%

#28

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$48,041

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,783

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 80.2%

#29

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$39,166

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,885

Graduates: 229

Acceptance: N/A

#30

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

$25,194

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 85.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California?

University of Southern California ranks #1 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California with median graduate earnings of $38,313 within two years of graduation. There are 30 schools offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in the state.

How much do Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates earn in California?

Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates in California earn an average of $35,314 within two years of graduation. This is 9% above the national average of $32,304 for this major.

What is the hardest Natural Resources Conservation and Research school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Natural Resources Conservation and Research program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs in the state is 59.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Natural Resources Conservation and Research in California?

In California, private Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs produce average earnings of $33,183 vs $36,043 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 21 public and 7 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Natural Resources Conservation and Research in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.