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2025 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

13 Colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region
2,268 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$38,408 Avg Early-Career Salary
Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs are on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of popularity. In fact, the major ranks #25 out of the 38 majors we look at each year. While this may limit the number of schools that offer the degree program, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to determine which ones were the best for natural resources & conservation students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 2,268 degrees in natural resources & conservation to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Natural Resources & Conservation School

Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region The natural resources & conservation program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation rankings. For our Best Overall Natural Resources & Conservation School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Natural Resources & Conservation Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation
Bachelor's Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation
Master's Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation
Doctor's Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Rocky Mountains Region

The schools below may not offer all types of natural resources & conservation degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top Rocky Mountains Region Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
243 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
16.5% Growth in Graduates

University of Denver is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in natural resources & conservation. DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Denver. A Best Colleges rank of #174 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means DU is a great university overall.

There were about 243 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent data year. Those natural resources & conservation students who get their degree from University of Denver make $31,453 more than the average natural resources & conservation graduate.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Denver

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
307 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
12.7% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat University of Colorado Boulder if you want to pursue a degree in natural resources & conservation. Located in the medium-sized city of Boulder, CU - Boulder is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #145 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means CU - Boulder is a great university overall.

There were roughly 307 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the natural resources & conservation program make an average of $30,747 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Colorado Boulder

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation Program Name

Develop a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set to solve complex environmental problems like climate change, alternative energy and sustainability with a specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
278 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
1.8% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation has to take a look at Colorado State University - Fort Collins. Located in the midsize city of Fort Collins, Colorado State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #178 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Colorado State is a great university overall.

There were about 278 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the natural resources & conservation program at Colorado State University - Fort Collins earn $3,953 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Colorado State University - Fort Collins

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
6.9% Growth in Graduates

University of Wyoming is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in natural resources & conservation. Located in the remote town of Laramie, UW is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 7 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wyoming.

There were approximately 87 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UW in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from University of Wyoming receive an earnings boost of approximately $9,514 above the average earnings of natural resources & conservation majors.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Wyoming

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
240 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
4.2% Growth in Graduates

UM is a large public university located in the city of Missoula. This university ranks 3rd out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of Montana.

There were roughly 239.99999999999997 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UM in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program state that they receive average early career earnings of $28,437.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from The University of Montana

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
105 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$28,661 Median Starting Salary

USU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Logan. A Best Colleges rank of #503 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 105 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at USU in the most recent data year. After graduating, natural resources & conservation degree recipients generally earn an average of $28,661 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Utah State University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
206 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
4.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Moscow, U of I is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 10 schools for overall quality in the state of Idaho.

There were about 206.00000000000003 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at U of I in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the natural resources & conservation degree program at University of Idaho earn $3,778 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Idaho

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Environmental Science Program Name

Learn to analyze environmental issues and repair and prevent damage caused by climate change with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Environmental Science from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
84 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
1.2% Growth in Graduates

MSU Bozeman is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bozeman. This university ranks 2nd out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of Montana.

There were approximately 84 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at MSU Bozeman in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from Montana State University earn a boost of about $24,079 above the typical earnings of natural resources & conservation graduates.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Montana State University

9
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
18.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #560 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Colorado College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 43 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colorado College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program state that they receive average early career wages of $17,372.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Colorado College

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
47 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$28,211 Median Starting Salary

Boise State is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Boise. A Best Colleges rank of #512 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Boise State is a great university overall.

There were about 47 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Boise State in the most recent data year. After graduating, natural resources & conservation degree recipients typically earn about $28,211 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Boise State University

Best Natural Resources & Conservation Colleges by State

Explore the best natural resources & conservation schools for a specific state in the Rocky Mountains Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Colorado 38 939
Utah 37 250
Montana 36 347
Idaho 36 286
Wyoming 32 105

View All Rankings >

Natural Resources & Conservation Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Natural Resources Conservation 1,216
Natural Resource Management 555
Wildlife Management 338
Forestry 123
Natural Resources Conservation (Other) 24
Fisheries Sciences 12

View All Natural Resources & Conservation Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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