### SUMMARY

 Choosing to study Conservation Biology is not only a valuable choice, but typically a critical first step for undergrads trying to pursue a career as a conservation specialist, a public outreach coordinator, or a marine resources specialist. Interestingly, conservation biology is a ​unique degree ranking as the 348th most popular degree. In the last year, there were 211 conservation biology diplomas received. In-state tuition for conservation biology at private universities is, on average, 4.5 times more spendy than their public rivals.

 With just 26 institutions offering conservation biology you could have a more finite list of the institutions which will have a degree program for you. If you're hoping to immerse yourself with other conservation biology majors, look at institutions in New York which have the most undergrads admitted to conservation biology annually. More generally, the best region to get a degree in conservation biology is in the Mid East region with [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university), [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry), and [Thiel College](/colleges/thiel-college) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection of the top conference to major in conservation biology is the Big Ten Conference with [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) representing the conference. From our comprehensive list of the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our belief is that the best university for conservation biology is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university).

 The objectively best school does not mean it is the best school for you. There are tons more perspectives to weigh when choosing school. External stuff such as campus amenities, transportation services, and food might definitely alter one's feelings on where to go to college. Here at Authority, we have evaluated the pros and cons for you. If, as an example, you are intrigued by which conservation biology university has the top college campus, the answer is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university). If, for example, you are very interested in which university is home to the top campus, we have an entire page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through student reviews, professor reviews, government databases, and more in order to evaluate each major in an unbiased and informative way. Here you can explore our well researched list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbspand, from that list, our selection of the university with the best student life for conservation biology is [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison). Are you curious why? Keep scrolling to find out more about Authority's top choices. Many of our conclusions will probably surprise you.

 If cost is a significant influence in your decisions, you might be cautious about [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university). [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university)&nbspis our most expensive university for conservation biology, at least regarding out of state attendance. We have a page for the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that might put the cost of [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university)&nbspinto perspective. You could also be interested to know that conservation biology is the 187th most expensive degree in America, with an average cost of $30,800. On a broader scale, the most expensive state for conservation biology nationally is Massachusetts demonstrated by a tuition of $54,720 at Boston University. Even more broadly, the most expensive region for conservation biology is unfortunately unavailable due to missing data.

 Our cheapest region for conservation biology is the Southeast region which is represented by [Lincoln Memorial University](/colleges/lincoln-memorial-university) with a cost of $22,200. More optimistically, the most affordable university for conservation biology is [Lake Superior State University](/colleges/lake-superior-state-university). Authority's entire list of the most affordable colleges can be explored [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state learners can anticipate paying about $9,800 for a degree in conservation biology. The cost grows substantially to a median of $23,900 for the out-of-state public-school undergraduate. As such, you might be interested in our choice for the university representing the best value for conservation biology: [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university). Through this link you will see our comprehensive list of the colleges we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspoverall. Bear in mind, this section is predicated on the assumption that you are an out-of-state student. The value proposition changes when in-state tuition costs are considered, but we do not know in which states any one student has residency.

 Earnings for conservation biology majors can differ, but two years after completing the major graduates will regularly make in the neighborhood of $43,800. While there can be much variation in earnings potential; top positions can rake in up to $80,000. Straight out of school, the minimum earning jobs within the conservation biology field make $24,000, which could be worse. The top earning grads for conservation biology have come from [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university)&nbspand if you are looking for universities with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), Authority has that too.

 The prevailing diversity of conservation biology falls quite poor, being in only the 12th percentile of all programs. The college with the highest composite diversity for conservation biology is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university)&nbspand here you can find our comprehensive list for the universities which have the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of the Conservation Biology major stands only within the 38th percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is even further below average in the 6th percentile. White students make up the largest share at 82% of those majoring in conservation biology. Additionally, 60% of scholars pursuing a conservation biology major are women.

 The median rating for conservation biology's professors is 4.5 stars, a ranking that is 13% better than the average for all majors; which is a pretty good ranking. If you want the most popular conservation biology professor in the nation, look no further than Elizabeth Freeman from [George Mason University](/colleges/george-mason-university). It might be a shock, but the top rated conservation biology instructors by student come from [George Mason University](/colleges/george-mason-university). As we including information other than just rankings it becomes clear that the school possessing the overall best professors for conservation biology is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university). One can find more detail on our evolving ranking methodology for the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with some of the best examples of instructors nationwide.

 Finally, the most difficult university to get into for conservation biology is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university). While we are unsure why you would be interested, we do have a comprehensive list of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, here at Authority we hope you understand that approaching the higher education world with a lens primarily built on superlatives can create issues. We at Authority encourage you to explore our more focused pages on individual universities and peruse a few of Authority's insightful background pages on useful details to look out for as your school search continues.



 ### POPULARITY

 Conservation biology is the 348th most popular degree in America, with 211 students receiving their bachelors degree last year.

 The degree is offered at a total of 26 colleges across the nation, and is the 357th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 1% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that 47% of colleges offering conservation biology are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The mid east produces the most conservation biology graduates, largely led by [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university), while it’s the Big Ten Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, New York ranks highest, with particular help from [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university) and [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more conservation biology graduates than [University of West Alabama](/colleges/university-of-west-alabama), which graduated 57 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study conservation biology). More students studied conservation biology as a percentage of total students at [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Conservation biology is the 187th most expensive major in America, with a median cost of $30,766 amongst the top 50 programs (just ahead of #188, [Organizational Communication](rankings/best-colleges-for-organizational-communication), with a median cost of $30,756).

 New England has the most expensive colleges with top 50 conservation biology programs predominantly led by [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university) with an annual cost of $54,720. Massachusetts is the most expensive state for conservation biology also led by [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university).

 Public schools with good programs typically charge 77.96% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 45.96% less than your average private school. So, if you're applying to a state school, make sure you qualify for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for conservation biology is [St Lawrence University](/colleges/st-lawrence-university), which is the 28th most expensive college in America. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Lake Superior State University](/colleges/lake-superior-state-university). It costs just $12,000 per year, and it is its conservation biology program is ranked #8. Another more affordable choice would be #1, [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry) in Onondaga County, NY with a cost of $7,070 for in-state students and $16,980 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Enrolling in college is an important investment for most students. It's critical to be confident you expand your future earning power. We wish for the following career and earnings facts to aid you in deciding your major at college.

 The average Conservation Biology graduate earns a first year salary of $36,741 per annum (close to national median 54th percentile). Further into their careers, they generally make somewhere between $24,038 and $79,961, but average roughly $43,836. To put it in context, that's 13% over the U.S. average.

 The most common work position for a Conservation Biology graduate is Certified Nursing Assistant, which usually make roughly $22,000; next are Service Technician and Clinical Laboratory Scientist, which generally earn more or less $26,000 and $49,000 respectively.

 The highest grossing region for Conservation Biology graduates is The Mid East. The best paid state for Conservation Biology alumni is MA. Ivy League has the best paid Conservation Biology graduates of any conference..



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Conservation Biology: Median Professor Rating: 4.5 / 5, which is Top 50.

 Instructors unfailingly have a monumental influence your college experience, regardless of your major. A great teacher might help a student find their passion and set one up for future success. Conversely, an unpleasant professor can disenchant you from a subject or even worse... fail you!

 Conservation Biology professors boast a median student rating of 4.5 out of 5, putting these professors in 35th place in the US based on overall professor quality. For context that's 12.5% north of the national median professor rating for all subjects. Conservation Biology professors slightly edged-out those from ["Photojournalism"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-photojournalism), whereas ["Comparative Literature"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-comparative-literature)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Conservation Biology.

 Now for some statistics about Conservation Biology professors. Colleges located in distant towns tend to have the best Conservation Biology professors. The Big Sky Conference has the highest rated Conservation Biology professors. The Rocky Mountains region has the highest rated Conservation Biology professors. Public schools tend to have higher rated Conservation Biology professors than private institutions. Finally, Idaho has the highest rated Conservation Biology professors in America.

 Elizabeth Freeman, instructor at [George Mason University](/colleges/george-mason-university)&nbspin Fairfax, VA is the most popular Conservation Biology professor in the nation. Stephen Connelly, instructor at [Finger Lakes Community College](/colleges/finger-lakes-community-college)&nbspin Canandaigua, NY is the highest rated Conservation Biology professor in America, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Find out which schools have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often can be an exceedingly constructive adventure in one's life; it's an opportunity for individual progress and development. Undergraduates try to discover what they are capable of and cultivate many of the crucial skills to become a successful adult. But growth isn't confined to a classroom - the campus dialogue, the funny story gained from a tenured professor, the exposure to a different vantage point. Therefore, attending a diverse college vastly enhances what you gain from your time spent in college.

 Conservation Biology is in the bottom 10% of subjects for racial diversity\*. 82% of the US' Conservation Biology majors are white students, followed by latino students (7%), students of other races\*\*(7%), and asian students (2%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [Seattle University](/colleges/seattle-university) located in Seattle, WA.

 Second, Conservation Biology significatly skews female, with 60% of students majoring in Conservation Biology identifying as women. [Thiel College](/colleges/thiel-college) in Greenville, PA has the most gender balanced student body in the top 100.

 Another significant type of diversity is socioeconomic diversity. Unfortunately, Conservation Biology ranks in the bottom 38% of subjects economic diversity. 32% of its majors come from households with $110,000 plus annual incomes, 18% are from households with $75,000 to $110,000 annual incomes, and 19% grew up in homes with a sub $30,000 yearly income. [Lake Superior State University](/colleges/lake-superior-state-university) is the most economically diverse school in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall WA is the most diverse state for Conservation Biology. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Western Athletic Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 2%
* Black: 2%
* Latino: 7%
* White: 82%
* Other: 7%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 40%
* Female: 60%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 19%
* 30k - 48k: 13%
* 48k - 75k: 17%
* 75k - 110k: 18%
* Over 110k: 32%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 51%
* Out of State: 40%
* International: 9%


Carnegie Mellon University

Washington University in St Louis

Cornell University

University of Georgia

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University of California-Berkeley

University of Miami

Florida State University

Colby College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Purdue University-Main Campus

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

University of California-Davis

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Pitzer College

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Maryland-College Park

Michigan State University

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Texas A & M University-College Station

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Michigan Technological University

Auburn University

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Clemson University

Search for the best Conservation Biology colleges according to your filter parameters.

2023 Conservation Biology Salary

There are about 786 students enrolled in Conservation Biology in the USA.

SALARY