Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn $56,185 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,328 and $74,677. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
About Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
This page covers Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Natural Resources and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy is a focused area of study within Natural Resources. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $56,185 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 185 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 3,147 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$37,946
Median Earnings · 4yr
$56,185
Colleges Offering
185
Graduates / Year
3,147
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,891
How Much Do Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, a typical graduate earns $56,185, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $41,328 and $74,677, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $37,946 at one year out to $56,185 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$56,185
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$53,620
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$41,32825th pct.
$56,185Median
$74,67775th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $56,185 and an estimated $83,564 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.2 years.
Based on outcomes from 99 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 3,147 students who complete Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy programs each year, the majority (47%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
47%35%
Bachelor's47%
Master's35%
Post-Bacc Cert.10%
What Can You Do With an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Economist pays the most at $124,720/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
Warn violators of infractions or penalties.
Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.
Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as criminal law, defensive policing, and investigation techniques.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
Plan and implement projects for conservation of wildlife habitats and soil and water quality.
Top Colleges for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Not sure where to study Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Natural Resources Programs
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy is not the only path through Natural Resources: 5 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $56,185 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $37,946 at graduation to $56,185 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.0% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 56,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates earn?
$56,185 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $41,328 and $74,677, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy degree?
$37,946 in the first year out. That grows to $56,185 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy degree?
Economist is one path, and it pays a median of $124,720 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy?
185 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy degree worth it?
$56,185 median earnings four years out against $20,891 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy and Natural Resources?
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy is the narrower of the two: Natural Resources covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Entertainment and Recreation Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Natural Resources Programs
Other programs in Natural Resources. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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