2026 Best Natural Resource Management Schools
Looking for the best Natural Resource Management programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 196 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Natural Resource Management Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Natural Resource Management programs schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full Duke University profile
University Of Denver came in at #2 on this year's Natural Resource Management ranking in the United States. Set in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. University Of Denver Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $22,534 in debt. Get the full University Of Denver report
You'll be in good company at Harvard University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Harvard University
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Out of the 196 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #5 spot. Set in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. South Dakota State University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $24,989 in debt. Get the full South Dakota State University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $22,113. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $21,755 in debt. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Maryland College Park placed #10 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #11 position. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $27,000. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
American Public University System placed #12 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $23,438. Read the full report on American Public University System
Auburn University placed #13 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Auburn University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $22,803 in debt. Read the full report on Auburn University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #15 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. More on Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
University Of Georgia came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read more about University Of Georgia
Rowan University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Get the full Rowan University report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Redlands came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Redlands, CA, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $60,878. Graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Read more about University Of Redlands
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. University Of Delaware Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $24,861 in debt. Get the full University Of Delaware report
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $23,742. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Suny College At Oneonta did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Oneonta, NY, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. Suny College At Oneonta posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $22,046. Read the full report on Suny College At Oneonta
Loyola University Chicago landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $23,521. More on Loyola University Chicago
Michigan Technological University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. See the full Michigan Technological University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Natural Resource Management Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Stevens Point, WI. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $22,132 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point profile
Texas Tech University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full Texas Tech University profile
West Virginia University placed #30 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. West Virginia University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full West Virginia University profile
The University Of Tennessee landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Oregon State University placed #33 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. Oregon State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Oregon State University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $34,429 in debt. Get the full Oregon State University report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,815 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Stony Brook University placed #35 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. This public school is set in Stony Brook, NY. Stony Brook University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Stony Brook University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $20,537 in debt. See the full Stony Brook University profile
Skagit Valley College placed #37 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mount Vernon, WA. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full Skagit Valley College profile
Juniata College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Huntingdon, PA. Juniata College posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,580. Juniata College Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $26,976 in debt. Read the full report on Juniata College
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Set in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Texas State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas State University San Marcos
Hocking College did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Nelsonville, OH. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. More on Hocking College
University Of Idaho placed #41 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. University Of Idaho is a public school based in Moscow, ID. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Denver, CO. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $27,484. Get the full Metropolitan State College Of Denver report
University Of Connecticut did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Located in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $18,559. Read more about University Of California Santa Cruz
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $25,275. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Wyoming landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. University Of Wyoming posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $20,283. See the full University Of Wyoming profile
Unity College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in New Gloucester, ME, Unity College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 29% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,640. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Unity College
Western Washington University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bellingham, WA. Western Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. More on Western Washington University
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Durham, NH. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $27,000. Read more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
University Of Rhode Island placed #50 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. University Of Rhode Island Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Florida International University came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Based in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. More on Florida International University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Best Natural Resource Management Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Natural Resource Management Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resource Management Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resource Management Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resource Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resource Management Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resource Management Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 196 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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