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Conservation technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a conservation technician. Conservation technicians usually study environmental science, fine arts, or biology. 76% of conservation technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 382 real conservation technician resumes to see exactly what conservation technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for conservation technicians are the University of Nebraska - Kearney and the University of Nebraska - Kearney.
There are also many online conservation technician courses to help get the education required to be a conservation technician.
What education do you need to become a conservation technician?
What degree do you need to be a conservation technician?
- Bachelor's, 76%
- Associate, 12%
- Master's, 5%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a conservation technician?
Most common colleges for conservation technicians
| Conservation technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Nebraska - Kearney | 13.24% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 8.82% |
| Colorado State University | 5.88% |
| University of Nebraska - Lincoln | 5.88% |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 5.88% |
Best majors for conservation technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Science | 22.5% |
| 2 | Fine Arts | 16.7% |
| 3 | Biology | 9.3% |
| 4 | Wildlife Management | 6.4% |
| 5 | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | 5.4% |
Best colleges for conservation technicians
The best colleges for conservation technicians are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A conservation technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for conservation technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become conservation technicians.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
3. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
4. Colby College
Waterville, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$55,210
Enrollment
2,000
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
6. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
7. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
8. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
20 best online courses for conservation technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. Primate Conservation
We are presently facing a potential extinction crisis for the order Primates (and many other life forms). In this course we will learn about threats to primate conservation globally. We will be using the, “Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates 2018-2020” by Schwitzer et al. (2019) as a basis for the discussion of global primate populations. We will investigate conservation status, threats to conservations, success and failures within protecting our closest evolutionary...
2. Tropical Forest Landscapes 101: Conservation & Restoration
Conserving and restoring tropical forest landscapes offers an opportunity to address pressing environmental and social challenges. Effective conservation and restoration initiatives support multiple objectives, including ecosystem functioning, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security, and economic growth. This seven-week course explores the technical, social, and funding aspects of this timely topic. You will learn: 1. The importance of tropical forest landscapes and the actors...
3. Species Distribution Models with GIS & Machine Learning in R
Mapping Habitat Suitability for Conservation Using Machine Learning and GIS in R...
4. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
5. Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation
This course is an introduction to ecology and ecosystem dynamics using a systems thinking lens. Through a case study on Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, learners will explore how scientists study ecosystems, and investigate the complex array of factors that inform management efforts. At the end of the course, learners will be able to grapple with real-world conservation questions, such as whether an ecosystem can recover from anthropogenic disruption and what role humans can, and should,...
6. Sustainable Cities
This Specialization is intended for individuals and organizations interested in developing skills and strategies to create and support sustainable cities. Through these four courses, you will gain a strong understanding of the tools and concepts needed to succeed in reaching this goal. Successful case studies of smart growth applications will be evaluated and assessed for multiple cities throughout the United States. The concentration will provide students with an introduction to sustainable...
7. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS
Become Proficient In Spatial Data Analysis Using R & QGIS By Working On A Real Project - Get A Job In Spatial Data!...
8. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
9. Physics 101 - Rotational Motion and Gravitation
This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of rotational motion and gravitation. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects around us. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Rotational motion, Angular Momentum, and Gravitation. Each of the three modules contains...
10. Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations
This fourth course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This fourth course covers AC circuits, Impedance, and Magnetism. Each of the two modules contains reading...
11. Data Science:Data Mining & Natural Language Processing in R
Harness the Power of Machine Learning in R for Data/Text Mining, & Natural Language Processing with Practical Examples...
12. The Complete Physics Course - Learn Science the easy way!
A course that's made for you to easily learn Physics! ....even for those that don't like Math & Science :)...
13. Renewable Energy: Fundamentals and Job Opportunities
This course prepares you to recognize the complexities and nuances of different renewable energy solutions, as well as relevant career opportunities (both technical occupations and roles not typically associated with clean energy). Learners are immersed in discussions about green energy technologies, the impact of sustainability on society, energy consumption in the United States and conservation. Topics include: tenets of green building design and construction, solar energy conversion through...
14. Physics 102 - Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law
This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law of Induction. Each of the three modules contains...
15. Complete Google Earth Engine for Remote Sensing & GIS
Harness the Power of Google Earth Engine for GIS Spatial Data Analysis & Remote Sensing...
16. Complete Data Wrangling & Data Visualisation With Python
Learn to Preprocess, Wrangle and Visualise Data For Practical Data Science Applications in Python...
17. Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050
The Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 Course is based on a clear vision: imagine best practice farming for 2050, start to implement these strategies now, all the while making sure it will still be profitable. At UWA we're doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Western Australia and we want you to learn how it can be done in your part of the world. Although this course is based on agriculture, it's not only about farming. It is a...
18. Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides an introduction to the most powerful engineering principles you will ever learn - Thermodynamics: the science of transferring energy from one place or form to another place or form. We will introduce the tools you need to analyze energy systems from solar panels, to engines, to insulated coffee mugs. More specifically, we will cover the topics of mass and energy conservation principles; first law analysis of control mass and control volume systems;...
19. Text Mining and Natural Language Processing in R
Hands-on text mining and natural language processing (NLP) training for data science applications in R...
20. Financial Modelling, Financial Planning and DCF Valuation
How to create a startup or existing company financial model from scratch and carry out the DCF Valuation...
Top 10 most affordable universities for conservation technicians
The most affordable schools for conservation technicians are Hunter College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for conservation technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for conservation technicians.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for conservation technicians
The hardest universities for conservation technicians to get into are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for conservation technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for conservation technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
5. Colby College
Waterville, ME • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,437
6. Amherst College
Amherst, MA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,449
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
9. Hamilton College
Clinton, NY • Private
Admissions rate
21%
SAT average
1,446
10. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,465
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for conservation technicians
The easiest schools for conservation technicians to get into are Curry College, wayland baptist university, and saint joseph's college of maine.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a conservation technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for conservation technicians.
1. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
4. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
8. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
9. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
10. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
Average conservation technician salary by education level
| Conservation technician education level | Conservation technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $39,715 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $35,270 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $36,210 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $37,198 |
Conservation technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025