2026 Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Natural Resources Conservation master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1089 schools 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Natural Resources Conservation master's degree schools in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $11,875. More on Duke University
The strong Natural Resources Conservation programs at Webster University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Webster University graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Webster University Natural Resources Conservation students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. More on Webster University
Yale University came in at #3 on this year's Natural Resources Conservation ranking in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $14,357. Get the full Yale University report
Out of the 1089 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Harvard University landed the #4 spot. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. See the full Harvard University profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top choices in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $12,988. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houston, TX. University Of Houston Clear Lake posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read the full report on University Of Houston Clear Lake
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $16,577. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Get the full California State University Fullerton report
University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of San Francisco came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,522. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $23,125. Read the full report on University Of San Francisco
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
South Dakota State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $24,989. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
Emory University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $23,172 in student loans. Read the full report on Emory University
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,533 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Natural Resources Conservation students take on a median of $24,125 in debt. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
Monterey Institute Of International Studies did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Monterey, CA, Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,654. More on Monterey Institute Of International Studies
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $21,500. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Cornell University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Natural Resources Conservation students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. More on Cornell University
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is a public school based in Nacogdoches, TX. Stephen F Austin State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $24,617. Read more about Stephen F Austin State University
Washington State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. More on Washington State University
American University placed #21 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $26,905 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read the full report on American University
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Duquesne University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Get the full Duquesne University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Natural Resources Conservation students take on a median of $13,952 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Northeastern University placed #25 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,162. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $23,430. Read more about Northeastern University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #26 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. Located in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. More on Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
University Of California Irvine landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. University Of California Irvine Natural Resources Conservation students take on a median of $12,477 in debt. More on University Of California Irvine
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $19,500. More on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of California Davis placed #29 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $15,200. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. More on Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Natural Resources Conservation students take on a median of $17,184 in debt. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #32 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. Set in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $21,632. Read more about The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Based in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $23,202. See the full University Of Wisconsin Green Bay profile
Auburn University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $22,803. Get the full Auburn University report
San Jose State University placed #35 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Get the full San Jose State University report
Oregon State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Based in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Oregon State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $23,267 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. See the full Oregon State University profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #37 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $12,044. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #38 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Nebraska Lincoln did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Resources Conservation schools. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,699 in student loans. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of Colorado Boulder did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Delaware landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Get the full University Of Delaware report
George Washington University placed #43 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read the full report on George Washington University
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. More on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $15,140. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #46 among Natural Resources Conservation schools in the United States. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $25,706. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school based in Baton Rouge, LA. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete their Natural Resources Conservation program here. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. The median Natural Resources Conservation program debt is $24,250. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $22,337. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resources Conservation student debt is $22,479. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Related Natural Resources Conservation Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools (All Levels)
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Resources Conservation Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 1089 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).