2026 Best Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Natural Resource Management master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 196 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Denver tops our 2026 ranking of the best Natural Resource Management master's degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,398. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $22,534. Read more about University Of Denver
Out of the 196 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on Duke University
You'll be in good company at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Out of the 196 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #4 spot. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $27,000. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Michigan State University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $21,755 in student loans. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. 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. More on University Of Maryland College Park
American Public University System came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. American Public University System graduates 47% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Get the full American Public University System report
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #9 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $22,843. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Oregon State University placed #10 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $34,429 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Get the full Oregon State University report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Delaware placed #12 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $24,861. See the full University Of Delaware profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school based in Scottsdale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $23,742. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Suny College At Oneonta did well this year, earning the #15 position. Suny College At Oneonta is a public school based in Oneonta, NY. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Suny College At Oneonta Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $22,046 in debt. Read more about Suny College At Oneonta
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,815 in student loans. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read more about Texas Tech University
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Get the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry report
University Of Idaho did well this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Get the full University Of Idaho report
West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. This public school is set in Morgantown, WV. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Get the full West Virginia University report
Stony Brook University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Stony Brook University is a public school based in Stony Brook, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Read more about Stony Brook University
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #22 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public school based in Stevens Point, WI. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $22,132. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of Connecticut placed #24 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Read more about University Of Connecticut
University Of Rhode Island ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Set in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. University Of Rhode Island posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $25,000. More on University Of Rhode Island
Rest of the Top 50 Best Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Florida International University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Located in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Read the full report on Florida International University
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a public school based in Seaside, CA. About 59% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $14,622. More on California State University Monterey Bay
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $23,013. More on University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Portland State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. Portland State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Portland State University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $26,475 in debt. More on Portland State University
Unity College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Gloucester, ME. Roughly 29% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on Unity College
Northern Arizona University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #32 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Based in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $19,835 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #33 position. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $24,342. See the full The University Of Montana profile
Antioch University New England placed #34 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Antioch University New England is a private not-for-profit school based in Keene, NH. Read the full report on Antioch University New England
Glenville State College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. More on Glenville State College
Central Maine Community College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Central Maine Community College report
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
University Of Wisconsin Parkside did well this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #39 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Humboldt State University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Humboldt State University report
Lehigh University placed #41 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. See the full Lehigh University profile
Johnson And Wales University Providence placed #42 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about Johnson And Wales University Providence
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
East Central University placed #44 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Get the full East Central University report
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Harvard University profile
Washington University In St Louis placed #46 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resource Management schools. Read more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Tuskegee University placed #48 among Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about Tuskegee University
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo did well this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo report
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science
Related Natural Resource Management Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Natural Resource Management Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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