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Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region

166 Colleges
$33,465 Avg Salary
$23,360 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Natural Resources Conservation School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, natural resources conservation was ranked #49 in the country. In fact 22,254 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 166 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Natural Resources Conservation program at each school on the list.

Check out the conservation programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Great Lakes Region .

Our 2023 rankings named University of Wisconsin - Madison the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for natural resources conservation students. UW - Madison is a fairly large public school located in the city of Madison.

Conservation majors at UW - Madison take out an average of $21,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great place for natural resources conservation students. U-M is a fairly large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor.

The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at U-M take out is $18,359. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $168.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

Out of the 166 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the # 3 spot on the list. Ohio State is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus.

While working on their degree, conservation majors at Ohio State accumulate an average of around $24,250 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $305.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at Ohio State University - Main Campus Report

Out of the 166 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, conservation graduates from IU Bloomington carry an average student debt load of $19,126.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Indiana University - Bloomington

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great place for natural resources conservation students. UIUC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Champaign.

Conservation majors at UIUC take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $258.

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#6

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources conservation programs. Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public school with a very large student population.

Conservation majors at Michigan State take out an average of $23,600 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $447.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Michigan State University

Loyola University Chicago landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources conservation programs. Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Conservation majors at Loyola Chicago take out an average of $24,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $561.

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With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources conservation students. Located in the city of Green Bay, UW - Green Bay is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, conservation majors at UW - Green Bay accumulate an average of around $22,833 in student debt.

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Miami University - Oxford landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources conservation programs. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school located in the town of Oxford.

After completing their degree, conservation graduates from Miami University - Oxford carry an average student debt load of $25,000.

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Grand Valley State University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. GVSU is a very large public school located in the suburb of Allendale.

After completing their degree, conservation graduates from GVSU carry an average student debt load of $26,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $187.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Grand Valley State University

With a ranking of #11, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources conservation students. OHIO Athens is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Athens.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

Kent State University at Kent came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public school with a very large student population.

Conservation majors at Kent State take out an average of $22,405 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Kent State University at Kent

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #13 on the list. UWM is a fairly large public school located in the city of Milwaukee.

On average, conservation graduates from UWM take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $158.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Report

Northern Michigan University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Marquette.

The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at Northern Michigan University take out is $22,738.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Northern Michigan University

#15

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources conservation programs. Located in the large city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at Cleveland State University take out is $24,125.

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#16

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #16 on the list. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Evanston.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at Northwestern University Report

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, conservation graduates from UC take out $22,542 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#18

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

With a ranking of #18, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources conservation students. Purdue is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue University - Main Campus

#18

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan is a public college with a large student population.

On average, conservation graduates from Central Michigan take out $28,119 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $151.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at Central Michigan University Report

#20

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

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University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls.

While working on their degree, conservation majors at UW - River Falls accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt.

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#22

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Muncie.

The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at Ball State take out is $25,500.

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#23

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources conservation programs. Located in the remote town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Conservation majors at Vincennes University take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Natural Resources Conservation at Vincennes University Report

Northern Illinois University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources conservation programs. Located in the small suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, conservation graduates from NIU carry an average student debt load of $22,500.

Read More…

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
25 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
26 DePaul University Chicago, IL
27 University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield, IL
27 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
29 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
29 Oberlin College Oberlin, OH
31 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
31 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
31 Purdue University Global Indianapolis, IN
31 Denison University Granville, OH

Best Natural Resources Conservation Colleges by State

Explore the best natural resources conservation schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 742
Ohio 653
Illinois 488
Indiana 364
Wisconsin 564

Natural Resources Conservation is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Conservation

Related Major Annual Graduates
Natural Resource Management 2,933
Wildlife Management 2,449
Forestry 2,233
Fisheries Sciences 483
Natural Resources Conservation (Other) 151

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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