by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you concerned with the way humans currently interact with nature? Do you worry we are running out of natural resources? Would you like to create policies to help with conservation?
A degree in natural resource management will give you the ability to develop policies that will help preserve nature while catering to peoples' needs. Classes will cover topics such as how people interact with natural resources, how resources can be protected and preserved, and how to regulate natural habitats. Some specific courses include biology, environmental science, economics, law and policy, and communications.
Specialty areas within the major include Natural Resources Management and Policy, Natural Resource Economics, Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management, Land Use Planning and Management/Development, Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, and Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services.
Natural Resource Management was the 178th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,039 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Natural Resource Management Schools ranking analyzes 45 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural resource management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of resource management programs later in this article.
If you are passionate about the environment and enjoy working with others, this could be an excellent major for you. With a degree in Natural Resource Management, you will have the ability to plan, develop, and manage policies that will affect the way resources are used and interacted with. This degree prepares you for a career where you will be able to creatively develop original solutions to problems pertaining to natural resources.
A career in Natural Resource Management requires people to be personable and effective communicators. Natural resource managers work with policy makers and other conservationists to develop solutions to natural resource issues. This requires the ability to work with others and persuade others to support your cause. Natural resource managers must also carefully analyze data and make sound decisions on how to better manage the environment and its resources.
It is recommended that anyone interest in this major get hands-on experience through an internship or a summer job. A government agency like the National Park Service allows students to work closely with conservationists and policy makers to learn about resource management.
natural resource management degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific resource management careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Resource Management degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in natural resource management to the highest resource management degree, a . Natural Resource Management programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to resource management, with approximately 44.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for resource management workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35.8% |
| High School Diploma | 18.0% |
| Some College Courses | 11.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.5% |
57.5% of resource management workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in natural resource management have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the resource management career you are seeking.
Graduates with a degree in Natural Resource Management often hold management positions in public, private, and nonprofit sectors of agencies, government, corporations, consulting firms, and community-based organizations based in conservation and natural resources.
Want a job when you graduate with your resource management degree? Natural Resource Management careers are expected to grow 7.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural resource management.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 731,900 | 7.0% |
| Firefighters | 350,900 | 7.2% |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Recreational Protective Service Workers | 163,700 | 7.6% |
| Police and Detective Supervisors | 111,600 | 6.6% |
Natural Resource Management graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $42,286 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $20,825 to as high as $71,291. As you might expect, salaries for resource management graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for natural resource management graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers resource management grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Police and Detective Supervisors | $93,100 |
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | $92,550 |
| Fire Fighting Supervisors | $80,310 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $65,400 |
With over 334 different resource management degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased resource management school rankings to help you with this.
Natural Resource Management is one of 5 different types of Natural Resources & Conservation programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation | 22,926 |
| Wildlife Management | 2,446 |
| Forestry | 2,247 |
| Fisheries Sciences | 506 |
| Natural Resources Conservation (Other) | 152 |
Image Credit: By Brian M. Powell under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
