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Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California

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2023 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California

30 Colleges
$36,789 Avg Salary
$19,882 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Natural Resources & Conservation School for You

Natural Resources & Conservation is the #24 most popular major in California with 3,928 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 30 schools in California to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges.

Top 10 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

Our analysis found University of California - Berkeley to be the best school for natural resources and conservation students who want to pursue a degree in California. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, natural resources and conservation graduates from UC Berkeley carry an average student debtload of $12,500. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $275.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Berkeley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public college with a very large student population.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Fullerton Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at UCLA accumulate an average of around $17,806 in student debt.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Los Angeles

The excellent programs at University of California - Santa Barbara helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best natural resources and conservation schools in California. Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from UCSB take out $18,500 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $310, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Santa Barbara Report

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best natural resources and conservation programs. Middlebury Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Monterey.

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San Jose State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public college with a very large student population.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at San Jose State University

University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best natural resources and conservation programs. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at UC Irvine accumulate an average of around $14,000 in student debt.

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University of California - Davis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Natural Resources & Conservation majors at UC Davis take out an average of $15,533 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $259.

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#10

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best natural resources and conservation programs. SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Santa Clara.

On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from SCU take out $24,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 835
Oregon 1,001
Hawaii 129
Nevada 107
Alaska 68

Natural Resources & Conservation Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Natural Resources Conservation 22,254
Natural Resource Management 2,933
Wildlife Management 2,449
Forestry 2,233
Fisheries Sciences 483
Natural Resources Conservation (Other) 151

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer & Information Sciences 254,454
Engineering 198,468
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 177,778
Engineering Technologies 85,188
Mathematics & Statistics 52,396

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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