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# Best Natural Resources Policy Programs in the Midwest (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Regional list from [Natural Resources Management and Policy Programs by Earnings](/rankings/best-natural-resources-management-and-policy-programs/)

This page ranks the 6 Natural Resources Management and Policy programs in the Midwest by median earnings of Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates four years after completing. [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $68,913 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed programs, median earnings range from $68,913 to $44,384, with a median of $53,095. The gap between the top two programs is $15,271.

All 6 programs are at 6 public institutions. Michigan State University ranks 69th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/majors/) posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $14,559.

## The ranked list

6 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $68,913 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) reports [$68,913 in median earnings](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/) for its Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,680. |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI | $53,642 | $14,559 | $8,833 | 91.8% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 92%](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/admissions/), [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list and shows median federal debt of $20,495 among Natural Resources Management and Policy completers who borrowed. |
| 3 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $53,620 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) posts [median earnings of $53,620](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $18,396 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 4 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, ND | $52,570 | $15,543 | $9,370 | 95.0% |
|  | [North Dakota State University-Main Campus](/school/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 4th on this list, with a cohort of 19 graduates in the earnings cohort and an [average net price of $15,543](/school/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus/cost/). |
| 5 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $52,528 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
|  | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/majors/) [admits 61% of applicants](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $52,528 for its Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $44,384 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
|  | [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $44,384](/school/central-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $12,185 for families earning under $30,000. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the Midwest appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 1 of the 6 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from Michigan State University to the lowest-ranked program is $24,529, with a gap of $15,271 between Michigan State University and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   Natural Resources Colleges in the Midwest for Social Mobility
-   Natural Resources Colleges in the Midwest