2026 Best Wildlife Management Schools
Looking for the best Wildlife Management programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 97 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.
So you can compare your options, 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 Wildlife Management Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than South Dakota State University this year in the United States. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. South Dakota State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $24,798. Get the full South Dakota State University report
A rank of #2 makes Stephen F Austin State University one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Nacogdoches, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Stephen F Austin State University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. More on Stephen F Austin State University
Out of the 97 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Clemson University landed the #3 spot. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $23,783. More on Clemson University
Out of the 97 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, American Public University System landed the #4 spot. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. More on American Public University System
The strong Wildlife Management programs at Haywood Community College earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Clyde, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Read more about Haywood Community College
Texas A And M University College Station placed #6 among Wildlife Management schools in the United States. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
The University Of Tennessee landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The University Of Tennessee Wildlife Management students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Oregon State University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Oregon State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $24,043. Read more about Oregon State University
Valley City State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. Valley City State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Valley City State University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read more about Valley City State University
Michigan State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Michigan State University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $28,425 in debt. Get the full Michigan State University report
Michigan Technological University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Michigan Technological University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $25,800 in debt. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Bemidji State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,301 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. Get the full Bemidji State University report
Iowa State University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Read the full report on Iowa State University
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
Arizona State University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $21,842. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Auburn University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. Get the full Auburn University report
West Virginia University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. West Virginia University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Read more about West Virginia University
Otterbein University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Westerville, OH, Otterbein University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $25,850. Get the full Otterbein University report
Tennessee Technological University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Tennessee Technological University is a public school based in Cookeville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $13,673 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. See the full Tennessee Technological University profile
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Wildlife Management schools. Located in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $21,150 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. Read more about University Of Nevada Reno
Juniata College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Huntingdon, PA, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Students from in state pay about $58,580 in tuition and fees. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $26,976. See the full Juniata College profile
Mississippi State University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Set in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Mississippi State University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. Read the full report on Mississippi State University
University Of Georgia landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $25,154 in student loans. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of California Davis came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $15,499. Read more about University Of California Davis
Rest of the Top 50 Best Wildlife Management Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Wildlife Management schools. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Arizona landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $21,861. Read more about University Of Arizona
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #29 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Delaware placed #30 among Wildlife Management schools in the United States. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $25,572. Read more about University Of Delaware
Delaware Valley College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Doylestown, PA, Delaware Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Delaware Valley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,850. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $26,420. Read more about Delaware Valley College
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $23,937. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
University Of Florida came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $20,872. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Maine placed #35 among Wildlife Management schools in the United States. Located in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,893 in student loans. See the full University Of Maine profile
Missouri Western State University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Missouri Western State University Wildlife Management students take on a median of $24,362 in debt. Read the full report on Missouri Western State University
University Of Idaho landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. University Of Idaho is a public school based in Moscow, ID. University Of Idaho posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Paul Smiths, NY, Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $33,009. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $24,874. Read more about Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school based in Maryville, MO. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Get the full Northwest Missouri State University report
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Graduates carry a median of $16,449 in student loans. Get the full New Mexico State University Main Campus report
Humboldt State University placed #41 among Wildlife Management schools in the United States. Humboldt State University is a public school based in Arcata, CA. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Humboldt State University
Northern Arizona University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $20,000. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
Murray State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in Murray, KY. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $21,500. Read the full report on Murray State University
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Wildlife Management schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit school based in Rexburg, ID. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. See the full Brigham Young University Idaho profile
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school based in Durham, NH. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus Wildlife Management students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Unity College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in New Gloucester, ME, Unity College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,640. The median Wildlife Management program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Unity College
University Of Rhode Island landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. University Of Rhode Island Wildlife Management students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on University Of Rhode Island
Hocking College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Hocking College is a public school based in Nelsonville, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Hocking College Wildlife Management students take on a median of $12,500 in debt. Read more about Hocking College
Arkansas Tech University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Wildlife Management program here. Read more about Arkansas Tech University
Eastern Kentucky University placed #50 among Wildlife Management schools in the United States. This public school is set in Richmond, KY. Eastern Kentucky University graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical Wildlife Management student debt is $19,224. See the full Eastern Kentucky University profile
The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #51 position. This public school is set in Missoula, MT. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. The University Of Montana Wildlife Management students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on The University Of Montana
Finger Lakes Community College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Finger Lakes Community College
Best Wildlife Management Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Wildlife Management Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Wildlife Management Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Wildlife Management Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Wildlife Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Wildlife Management Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Wildlife Management Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Wildlife Management Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 97 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).