Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other.: The DTI for this program is 68.4%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $36190) to the average debt ($24745) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 68.4%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($36190) against the typical student debt ($24745), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $36190, and the average student debt is $24745, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.68—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 3147 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other (CIP 03.0299) is a specialized interdisciplinary field that focuses on the governance, legal frameworks, and strategic oversight of the earth’s assets. While environmental science focuses on the "how" of nature, this "Other" category focuses on the "who, why, and how much"—navigating the complex intersection of government regulations, corporate interests, and ecological necessity.
This field is ideal for "environmental diplomats"—individuals who want to be in the room where decisions are made. It is a path for those who want to use law, economics, and communication to solve massive systemic issues like water rights disputes, carbon market regulations, and international conservation treaties.
What Is an Environmental Management and Policy (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the administrative and legislative side of the environment. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs often allow for highly modern specializations such as Environmental Justice policy, Climate Security (geopolitics), or Circular Economy management. Students learn how to translate complex scientific data into actionable laws and business strategies. It is a field about finding the "middle ground" where human progress and planetary health can overlap.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Sustainability Leaders" who can manage the environmental compliance of entire cities or corporations
- Develop specialists in Environmental Conflict Resolution and mediation
- Prepare professionals to draft legislation for renewable energy and plastic reduction
- Study the economic impact of environmental disasters and the cost of "climate resilience"
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that protecting the environment requires a deep understanding of human psychology, money, and the law.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Perform Cost-Benefit Analysis to determine the economic viability of environmental projects
- Interpret and draft "Environmental Impact Statements" (EIS) for government review
- Master the legalities of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and international climate accords
- Use "Risk Management" frameworks to predict how environmental changes will affect supply chains
- Facilitate "Stakeholder Engagement"—bringing together CEOs, activists, and politicians for negotiation
- Analyze environmental data to identify trends in resource depletion or pollution levels
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a mix of political science, economics, and environmental ethics:
- Environmental Law: The history and application of rules governing air, water, and land.
- Natural Resource Economics: How to put a financial value on "clean air" or "biodiversity."
- Global Environmental Politics: How different nations compete and cooperate over resources.
- Corporate Sustainability: Strategies for businesses to reduce waste while remaining profitable.
- Energy Policy: The transition from fossil fuels to a renewable-based economy.
- Environmental Justice: Ensuring that marginalized communities aren't unfairly burdened by pollution.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in high-level strategy and oversight across almost every industry.
Common job roles include:
- Sustainability Director: Leading a corporation’s "Green" strategy and carbon footprint reduction.
- Environmental Policy Analyst: Researching and recommending new laws for think tanks or government agencies.
- Environmental Consultant: Helping companies navigate complex government regulations.
- Lobbyist/Advocacy Director: Representing environmental non-profits in the halls of government.
- Regulatory Compliance Officer: Ensuring that a company or city is following all environmental laws.
- Water Resource Manager: Overseeing the legal and physical distribution of water in a region.
Where Can You Work?
Policy and management specialists are needed wherever human activity meets natural limits:
- Government Agencies: The EPA, the Department of the Interior, or state-level environmental offices.
- Large Corporations: In the "ESG" (Environmental, Social, and Governance) or "Trust and Safety" departments.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Groups like the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, or the World Resources Institute.
- Law and Lobbying Firms: Specialized firms that focus on land use and environmental litigation.
- International Bodies: The United Nations, the World Bank, or the European Union.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings in this field are often quite high, particularly for those working in the private sector or for federal agencies.
- Sustainability Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $85,000–$130,000.
- Environmental Policy Analysts: Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $110,000.
- Regulatory Affairs Managers: Median annual salary of around $115,000.
- Lobbyists (Environmental): Salaries vary widely but can exceed $150,000 plus bonuses.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the mental agility required. You must be able to read a 500-page scientific report in the morning and a 500-page legal contract in the afternoon. It requires a high level of "emotional intelligence" for negotiation and the ability to stay objective when dealing with politically charged topics. You must be an expert writer and an even better communicator.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are a "debater" who likes to argue for what is right based on facts and law
- Want to save the planet, but prefer a boardroom or a capitol building to a forest
- Are fascinated by how businesses can be "forced" or "incentivized" to be green
- Enjoy "the big picture" and how global systems like trade and environment connect
- Want a career that combines high earning potential with social impact
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Government, Economics, AP Environmental Science, and Statistics
- Join a speech, debate, or Model United Nations (MUN) team
- Volunteer for a local political campaign or an environmental advocacy group
- Practice your writing—being able to summarize complex information is your "superpower"
- Read the news daily to understand current environmental conflicts and energy trends
The ability to turn environmental science into human law and corporate action is the hallmark of a successful management and policy professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor