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Major · Natural Resources and Conservation

Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management

A program that prepares individuals to apply the principles of marine/aquatic biology, oceanography, natural resource economics, and natural resources management to the development, conservation, and management of freshwater and saltwater environments. Includes instruction in subjects such as wetlands, riverine, lacustrine, coastal, and oceanic water resources; water conservation and use; flood control; pollution control; water supply logistics; wastewater management; aquatic and marine ecology; aquatic and marine life conservation; and the economic and recreational uses of water resources.

Schools offering
14
Annual completions
105
Typical degree level
Associate's + Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$56k

About this major

A program that prepares individuals to apply the principles of marine/aquatic biology, oceanography, natural resource economics, and natural resources management to the development, conservation, and management of freshwater and saltwater environments. Includes instruction in subjects such as wetlands, riverine, lacustrine, coastal, and oceanic water resources; water conservation and use; flood control; pollution control; water supply logistics; wastewater management; aquatic and marine ecology; aquatic and marine life conservation; and the economic and recreational uses of water resources.

Section 3 · Careers

Where this major leads

Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.

Occupation Median wage Job growth Typical education
Conservation scientists $68k +3.4% Bachelor's degree
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $101k +4.0% Doctoral or professional degree
Section 4 · Earnings

Earnings at a glance

Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.

Median 5-year earnings

$56k

Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings

Associate's

$47k

Bachelor's

$57k

Section 6 · Where to study

Top colleges for Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management

Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL 0 31 31
Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX 0 15 15
Green River College Auburn, WA 14 0 14
Texas State University San Marcos, TX 0 10 10
Everglades University Boca Raton, FL 0 9 9
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI 0 6 6
Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL 0 4 4
Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI 4 0 4
Spokane Community College Spokane, WA 4 0 4
Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL 0 3 3
Section 9 · Frequently asked

Common questions

What can I do with a Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management degree?
Graduates commonly pursue careers such as Conservation scientists, Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary.
Is a Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management associate's enough, or do I need a bachelor's?
Both credentials exist. The associate's is typically faster and cheaper; the bachelor's unlocks higher-earning roles. See our earnings table above.
How many colleges offer Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management?
14 colleges offered this major in the most recent IPEDS year, graduating about 105 students a year combined.