Best Schools for Natural Resources Management and Policy

Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn a median of $57,220 within four years of graduating, ranking #155 out of 283 tracked majors — 9% below the median across all fields. There are 38 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 1,307 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: California State University-Bakersfield graduates earn $82,315 while Auburn University graduates earn $40,076 — a $42,239 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates see an average 5% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$57,220

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#155

of 283 Majors

1,307

Graduates

Public vs Private: Natural Resources Management and Policy

Public (31 schools)

$57,627

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (7 schools)

$57,046

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Natural Resources Management and Policy, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Natural Resources Management and Policy by State

Also by state: Colorado

Top Natural Resources Management and Policy Schools by Graduate Earnings

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$82,315

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

2yr: $58,673 (21)

Acceptance: 88.2%

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, NH · Public

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$68,913

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

1yr: $41,632 (18)

Acceptance: 83.9%

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY · Public

Everglades University

Boca Raton, FL · Private

$61,850

4yr Earnings

27 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 86.4%

#10

Marist University

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

$58,610

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $41,565 (16)

Acceptance: 64.7%

#11

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$54,665

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

Unity Environmental University

New Gloucester, ME · Private

Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

Paul Smiths, NY · Private

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Stevens Point, WI · Public

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI · Public

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public

$52,570

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX · Public

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA · Public

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$49,834

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL · Public

Glenville State University

Glenville, WV · Public

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

$40,076

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 50.5%

#29

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI · Public

Baldwin Wallace University

Berea, OH · Private

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public

$42,402

2yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$36,848

2yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public

$30,409

2yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL · Private

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

$19,592

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 37.2%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Agriculture, General $35,456 Biotechnology $35,422 Astronomy and Astrophysics $35,354 Biopsychology $35,330 Community Organization and Advocacy $35,302 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $35,151

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Natural Resources Management and Policy?

California State University-Bakersfield ranks #1 for Natural Resources Management and Policy with median graduate earnings of $82,315 within four years of graduating. There are 38 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn?

Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn an average of $57,220 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $40,076 to $82,315 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Natural Resources Management and Policy program?

The average acceptance rate across Natural Resources Management and Policy programs is 76.2%. The most selective program is at University of Miami with a 18.5% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Natural Resources Management and Policy?

Private Natural Resources Management and Policy programs average $57,046 in early earnings vs $57,627 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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