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Most Popular Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California

110 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 Most Popular Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 110 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular 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 natural resources and conservation programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

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

On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from UC Berkeley take out $12,500 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $275.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Berkeley Report

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

The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at UCSB take out is $18,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $310, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 110 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at UC Davis accumulate an average of around $15,533 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $259.

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Out of the 110 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Humboldt State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Arcata.

After completing their degree, natural resources and conservation graduates from Humboldt State University carry an average student debt load of $22,691.

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The excellent programs at University of California - Santa Cruz helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best natural resources and conservation schools in California. UC Santa Cruz is a large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz.

After completing their degree, natural resources and conservation graduates from UC Santa Cruz carry an average student debt load of $19,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $264, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out is $17,250. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $293, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #7 on the list. SDSU is a fairly large public school located in the city of San Diego.

While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at SDSU accumulate an average of around $15,000 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #8, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at UCLA take out is $17,806.

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

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. CSUMB is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize suburb of Seaside.

While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at CSUMB accumulate an average of around $16,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Monterey Bay

University of California - San Diego came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. UCSD is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla.

The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at UCSD take out is $18,000.

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

#11

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #11 on the list. SFSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Francisco.

While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at SFSU accumulate an average of around $16,404 in student debt.

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#12

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

With a ranking of #12, University of San Francisco did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. USFCA is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Francisco.

After completing their degree, natural resources and conservation graduates from USFCA carry an average student debt load of $21,875.

Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of San Francisco Report

#12

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular 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.

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University of Southern California landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular natural resources and conservation programs. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Natural Resources & Conservation majors at USC take out an average of $9,250 in student loans while working on their egree.

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With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. Sac State is a very large public school located in the large city of Sacramento.

On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from Sac State take out $18,956 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

With a ranking of #16, University of California - Irvine did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Natural Resources & Conservation majors at UC Irvine take out an average of $14,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#16

Reedley College

Reedley, CA

Reedley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #16 on the list. Reedley College is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Reedley.

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Natural Resources & Conservation students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
18 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
19 California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA
20 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
20 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
22 Citrus College Glendora, CA
22 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA

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

Explore all the Most Popular Natural Resources & Conservation Schools 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.

  • 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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