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Natural Resources
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Natural Resources
Forestry, wildlife management, and conservation science — land and water resource careers with federal agencies, state parks, nonprofits, and private land managers. Graduates earn a national median of $58,784 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,193 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 32,106 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $34,345
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $58,784
- Colleges Offering
- 1,193
- Graduates / Year
- 32,106
- Specializations
- 6
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $18,976
Is a Natural Resources Degree Right for You?
$58,784
Median earnings · 4yr
+1.2%
10yr job growth
6
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~2.6
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $58,784 after 4 years. Against an estimated $75,904 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.6 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Natural Resources Majors Earn?
Natural Resources graduates start at a median $34,345 one year out and reach $58,784 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,193 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$34,345
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$58,784
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$54,034
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Natural Resources specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $58,784/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $45,338/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$45,338
Lowest
$58,784
Median
$58,784
Highest
What Can You Do With a Natural Resources Degree?
Career Paths for Natural Resources Graduates
Natural Resources connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Economist leads in median earnings at $124,720/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Economist
Master's degree
$124,720
↗ +1.2% growth
Economics Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$123,920
↗ +2.1% growth
Environmental Science Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$94,980
↗ +2.9% growth
Detective & Criminal Investigator
High school diploma or equivalent
$93,790
↘ -0.7% growth
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Postsecondary nondegree award
$93,530
↗ +3.4% growth
Environmental Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$82,220
↗ +4.4% growth
Compliance Officers
Bachelor's degree
$80,730
↗ +3.0% growth
Entertainment and Recreation Managers
Bachelor's degree
$79,520
↗ +7.7% growth
Natural Resources Specializations
Natural Resources spans 6 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $45,338 to $58,784 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Natural Resources
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Natural Resources graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR · Public
Acceptance
77.3%
Net price/yr
$19,604
Earnings 10yr
$64,010
Grad rate
57%
2
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
3
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99.5%
Net price/yr
$36,708
Earnings 10yr
$50,318
Grad rate
30%
4
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance
33%
Net price/yr
$16,109
Earnings 10yr
$74,915
Grad rate
65%
5
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
6
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
Acceptance
54.8%
Net price/yr
$24,953
Earnings 10yr
$81,698
Grad rate
81%
7
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
8
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
Acceptance
41.7%
Net price/yr
$17,303
Earnings 10yr
$68,758
Grad rate
79%
9
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance
57.4%
Net price/yr
$21,315
Earnings 10yr
$72,097
Grad rate
80%
10
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$6,541
Earnings 10yr
$71,588
Grad rate
83%
11
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · Public
Acceptance
78.1%
Net price/yr
$25,346
Earnings 10yr
$69,738
Grad rate
59%
12
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, CA · Public
Acceptance
98.2%
Net price/yr
$13,171
Earnings 10yr
$47,626
Grad rate
57%
13
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
14
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI · Public
Acceptance
91.8%
Net price/yr
$14,559
Earnings 10yr
$52,021
Grad rate
62%
15
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT · Public
Acceptance
65.3%
Net price/yr
$19,343
Earnings 10yr
$62,472
Grad rate
71%
16
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public
Acceptance
88.5%
Net price/yr
$21,279
Earnings 10yr
$60,543
Grad rate
64%
17
Duke University
Durham, NC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
5.7%
Net price/yr
$29,612
Earnings 10yr
$97,800
Grad rate
94%
18
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance
45.2%
Net price/yr
$17,354
Earnings 10yr
$73,792
Grad rate
75%
19
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public
Acceptance
84.8%
Net price/yr
$19,680
Earnings 10yr
$67,253
Grad rate
79%
20
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public
Acceptance
93.3%
Net price/yr
$21,193
Earnings 10yr
$62,569
Grad rate
66%
Ranked by number of Natural Resources graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Natural Resources Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Natural Resources degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Natural Resources degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Natural Resources Degree: Pros & Cons
Natural Resources carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 4 strengths and 1 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $58,784 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
- Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.7% job growth over the next decade per BLS data.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,193 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $34,345 at graduation to $58,784 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
Natural Resources Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Natural Resources graduates earn?
Natural Resources graduates earn a national median of $58,784 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Natural Resources degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Natural Resources degree holders is $34,345 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Natural Resources degree?
Natural Resources degree holders work in a range of careers. Economist is one of the top roles by median wage ($124,720/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Natural Resources?
1,193 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Natural Resources, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Natural Resources degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $58,784 and an average net price of roughly $18,976/yr across institutions offering this major, a Natural Resources degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Natural Resources degree?
Natural Resources programs range from two-year associate degrees to four-year bachelor's programs. Many students also enter through apprenticeships, which can provide an accelerated path into the field.
What skills do employers look for in Natural Resources graduates?
Employers hiring Natural Resources graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, hands-on problem-solving, and equipment operation. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Natural Resources graduates?
With a median salary of $58,784, graduate study in Natural Resources can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Natural Resources graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Natural Resources graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +3.0% projected growth across related occupations. Entertainment and Recreation Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +7.7%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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- Program earnings
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-
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- STEM earnings
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- Program earnings
- Major choice
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