Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Degree
Students study wildlife biology, habitat conservation, population ecology, and management strategies for preserving biodiversity in wild areas. Graduates typically pursue careers as wildlife biologists, conservation officers, habitat restoration specialists, and researchers for state and federal agencies. This major is ideal for those drawn to fieldwork and protecting endangered species and ecosystems.
What Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Graduates Do
Your career will likely begin in the field, far from a typical office. As a wildlife biologist, you could be collecting data on animal populations, using everything from DNA samples to camera traps. Or, as a conservation scientist, you might work directly with farmers and ranchers to create plans for sustainable land use. Over time, you’ll progress from hands-on data collection to managing larger conservation projects, analyzing population trends, and advising government agencies. For those with advanced degrees, a path in academia involves teaching and leading original research.
While the field is growing, it remains competitive, particularly for a small number of postsecondary teaching roles. Technology is also changing the work. With a moderate AI exposure, expect routine tasks to be automated. AI will increasingly analyze large datasets from satellite imagery or field sensors, freeing you to focus on complex fieldwork, stakeholder negotiations, and strategic decision-making. The core jobs aren't disappearing, but your day-to-day will evolve, requiring you to be as skilled with data tools as you are in the wild.
Common Career Paths
Where Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 4,000 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Salary Range | Openings/yr | Growth | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary | 100 | +4.0% | 48% | |
| Zoologists and wildlife biologists | 1,400 | +1.6% | 45% | |
| Conservation scientists | 2,500 | +3.4% | 52% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Best Schools for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Top 20 of 37 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX |
46 41–46 |
$43,282/yr | 12.7x |
| 2 | Valley City State University Valley City, ND |
44 39–45 |
$44,253/yr | 13.8x |
| 3 | Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID |
43 39–44 |
$39,896/yr | 20.4x |
| 4 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD |
38 34–39 |
$39,483/yr | 11.9x |
| 5 | New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM |
35 33–36 |
$33,603/yr | 14.0x |
| 6 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN |
31 28–31 |
$35,806/yr | 7.8x |
| 7 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS |
31 29–31 |
$30,247/yr | 11.9x |
| 8 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO |
30 27–31 |
$36,758/yr | 9.1x |
| 9 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID |
30 28–31 |
$31,022/yr | 12.2x |
| 10 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR |
30 29–31 |
$28,652/yr | 13.4x |
| 11 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV |
29 26–29 |
$33,351/yr | 8.3x |
| 12 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN |
28 26–28 |
$30,924/yr | 8.4x |
| 13 | Auburn University Auburn, AL |
28 26–28 |
$28,748/yr | 9.5x |
| 14 | Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO |
27 25–28 |
$32,199/yr | 7.2x |
| 15 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN |
27 25–28 |
$29,936/yr | 10.4x |
| 16 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV |
27 25–28 |
$29,470/yr | 10.9x |
| 17 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NY |
25 22–26 |
$35,979/yr | 1.8x |
| 18 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT |
25 23–25 |
$28,339/yr | 11.4x |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI |
25 23–25 |
$27,273/yr | 11.3x |
| 20 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL |
25 23–25 |
$23,715/yr | 14.7x |
Highest Earning Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Programs
Schools where Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| Valley City State University | $44,253/yr | 44 |
| Stephen F Austin State University | $43,282/yr | 46 |
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | $39,896/yr | 43 |
| South Dakota State University | $39,483/yr | 38 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | $36,758/yr | 30 |
| Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science | $35,979/yr | 25 |
| Bemidji State University | $35,806/yr | 31 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | $33,603/yr | 35 |
| University of Nevada-Reno | $33,351/yr | 29 |
| Missouri Western State University | $32,199/yr | 27 |
Best ROI for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | 20.4x | $39,896/yr | 43 |
| University of Florida | 14.7x | $23,715/yr | 25 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | 14.0x | $33,603/yr | 35 |
| Valley City State University | 13.8x | $44,253/yr | 44 |
| Arkansas Tech University | 13.4x | $28,652/yr | 30 |
| Stephen F Austin State University | 12.7x | $43,282/yr | 46 |
| University of Idaho | 12.2x | $31,022/yr | 30 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | 12.0x | $26,325/yr | 24 |
| Mississippi State University | 11.9x | $30,247/yr | 31 |
| South Dakota State University | 11.9x | $39,483/yr | 38 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Consider the Trade Route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.