Rangeland ecology and management
Bachelor of Science
Overview
- In-state: $9,824
- Out-of-state: $29,300
- WUE/Invitation to Idaho: $13,538
Related Topics
Out on the range
Nearly half the land on Earth is rangeland. These vast grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and deserts sustain livestock, wildlife, water supplies and rural communities across the American West and beyond. Managing them well, especially as invasive species, development and wildfire reshape these landscapes, demands professionals with serious scientific grounding, hands-on field skills and the ability to work across competing interests. The B.S. in rangeland ecology and management in the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences prepares graduates to meet that challenge.
Deeply rooted in ecology, the program builds a comprehensive understanding of how rangeland ecosystems work and how those ecosystems respond to pressure. You’ll study the science of rangelands, then apply it across coursework in livestock management, wildlife habitat, watershed science, restoration ecology, spatial analysis and GIS and natural resource policy. The curriculum is designed to be tailored to your individual interests: 12 credits of advisor-approved electives allow you to focus in areas like animal production, ecosystem restoration, wildland fire, wildlife management, invasive plant management, rangeland economics, or environmental consulting.
What sets U of I's program apart is our world-class faculty and access to facilities that turn ecological theory into real-world practice. Study at the 10,400-acre Rinker Rock Creek Ranch in southern Idaho, where you could conduct research on grazing systems, stream restoration, wildlife habitat and wildfire resilience. The university's Rangeland Center offers hands-on internship positions during the academic year. Field trips are embedded in core courses, giving you direct access to rangeland managers and real land management challenges from the beginning.
Our Bachelor of Science in rangeland ecology and management is one of the few programs in the nation that is fully accredited by the Society for Range Management, signaling to employers that you have met rigorous national standards. Almost all graduates from this program in the past decade have gone on to careers in natural resource management or graduate study — employed by federal and state agencies, private ranches, conservation organizations, tribal governments and consulting firms.
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Enjoy nature and want a career that takes you outside.
- Are interested in ranching, livestock, plants, land management or working directly with ranchers and land managers.
- Are passionate about the role rangelands play in food systems, wildlife conservation and water quality.
- Are strong in biology, math and environmental science and want to apply those skills in the field.
- Want to work in restoration, invasive species management, fire ecology or watershed science.
- Are considering a career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, state agencies, tribal organizations or rangeland consulting firms.
- Are looking for a STEM-designated degree with broad career options and strong job placement outcomes.
Turn nature into a career
Curriculum
This program could be a good fit if you:
Enjoy nature and wild landscapes.
Want a career working in the outdoors.
Are interested in ranching, plants or land management.
Are strong in biology, math and environmental science.
Want to be out in the field doing research.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,342 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Agricultural Managers
$36,690 - Animal Scientists
$95,233 - Soil and Plant Scientists
$82,430 - Conservation Scientists • Range Managers • Park Naturalists
$76,794 - Postsecondary Agricultural Sciences Teachers • Postsecondary Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers
$87,482
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Range Club: Society for Range Management Student Chapter
U of I's Range Club is the student chapter of the Society for Range Management (SRM) — the professional society for rangeland science and management. The club connects students with peers, working professionals and the broader rangeland community through field trips, speaker events and professional development activities. The Range Club has competed at the SRM Annual Meeting, where students present research papers in the Forum Paper Presentation Session, participate in ecological field trips and network with rangeland professionals from across the country. U of I's Range Club has a strong track record at these competitions.
Follow the Range Club on Instagram: @uidahorangeclub
CNR Living Learning Community
The College of Natural Resources Living Learning Community provides a residence hall community for CNR students, including rangeland majors. Living alongside others studying natural resources builds a natural support network and creates space for collaboration, field trip coordination, and lasting professional connections.
Hands-on learning experiences
Rangeland ecology and management students gain real-world experience through structured field learning woven throughout the program:
- Field trips embedded in core courses take you onto Idaho rangelands to observe, assess and discuss active management challenges with rangeland professionals.
- Learn at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, a 10,400-acre working ranch in southern Idaho. The ranch serves as a living laboratory for research on grazing, stream restoration, wildlife habitat and wildfire resilience. Students participate in research projects and field exercises directly on the ranch.
- The Rangeland Center Internship Program provides part-time internship positions at the U of I Rangeland Center. These internships are available during the fall and spring semesters on campus. Interns support Rangeland Center research projects, outreach, and operations.
- Taylor Wilderness Research Station offers opportunities for selected undergraduate research and independent study in the remote Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
Undergraduate research
Throughout your education at the College of Natural Resources, you’ll be encouraged to engage in research alongside faculty and through the Rangeland Center. Current research projects explore topics like rangeland plant community dynamics, effects of fire and grazing, invasive species management, wildlife-livestock interactions and drone-based rangeland monitoring. The Office of Undergraduate Research at U of I can provide additional support for pursuing your independent research.
Internships and industry connections
Internship opportunities for rangeland students are available through:
- The U of I Rangeland Center (on-campus, semester-based internship program)
- Taylor Wilderness Research Station
- Federal agencies: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- State agencies: Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- Tribal natural resource departments
- Private ranches, conservation organizations and environmental consulting firms
Study abroad for a global perspective
You can pursue study abroad opportunities to gain a global perspective on range management. International study experiences offer insights into rangeland systems on other continents and comparative management approaches that enrich your professional toolkit.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Art and Architecture undergraduate program professional fees
This program includes a professional fee to support studio resources, equipment and opportunities, like field trips, that enhance your learning experience:
- All full-time undergraduate students (10-20 credits) - $725.00 per semester
- Part-time undergraduate students (1-9 credits) - $73.00 per credit
Financial aid
U of I certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships. Financial aid and scholarships are available only to students enrolled in bachelor’s or associate degree programs.
For more information or to explore funding options for your education, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Idaho LAUNCH
This degree is approved for Idaho LAUNCH, a grant that supports Idaho students pursuing high-demand careers. Students enrolling under the 2026–27 Academic Catalog may be eligible for up to $4,000 per year / $8,000 total in scholarship funding through the Idaho LAUNCH program.
Learn about eligibility and application deadlines at nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch, or see our full list of approved U of I programs on the in-state scholarships page.
Recognized STEM Program
This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.
Application information
Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.
Overview
- In-state: $9,824
- Out-of-state: $29,300
- WUE/Invitation to Idaho: $13,538
Related Topics
Have questions?
Not sure if this program is the right fit? Connect with your admissions counselor or request more information to get personalized guidance on program details, requirements and next steps.
The College of Natural Resources Student Services team and the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences department chair are happy to help with questions about the B.S. in rangeland ecology and management.
Visit the College of Natural Resources website
Connect with program faculty
Find your admissions counselor
Request more information
Khris Kohlmeier
CNR Advisor
- Student academic success
- Academic planning and degree progression
- Career and major exploration
- Campus resources and student engagement
208-885-2033
University Advising Services, College of Natural Resources
Charles Goebel
Professor of Forest Ecosystem Restoration and Ecology and Department Head of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences
Ph.D. in Forest Science ’01
M.S. in Natural Resources ’95
B.S. in Forestry ’93
- Restoration ecology
- Riparian ecology and management
- Forest stand dynamics and ecology
- Wildland fire ecology and management
208-885-7311
College of Natural ResourcesCollege of Natural Resources, Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences
Idaho's rangelands are the classroom
University of Idaho sits in one of the most rangeland-rich regions of the country. From the sagebrush steppe of the Snake River Plain to the bunchgrass prairies of the Palouse and the mountain shrublands of central Idaho, you’ll be surrounded by the very landscapes you study. The Rinker Rock Creek Ranch in the Owyhee Uplands, the forests and rangelands of the Clearwater Basin and the towering landscapes adjacent to the Taylor Wilderness Research Station give this program a geographic range of learning environments that few programs anywhere can match.
Field experiences
The program is designed around field-based learning. Most rangeland courses include field trips and core courses feature extensive field experiences. You will spend significant time on the range, not just in the classroom. Key field learning locations include:
- Rinker Rock Creek Ranch (10,400 acres, southern Idaho) — a working cattle ranch and living laboratory used for research on grazing systems, stream restoration, invasive plants, wildfire and wildlife habitat.
- Idaho rangelands across Idaho, the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies are integrated into coursework through field trips and faculty-led monitoring visits.
Accreditation
The B.S. in rangeland ecology and management is accredited by the Society for Range Management (SRM) — the national professional organization for range management. SRM accreditation is recognized by federal hiring authorities including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, and is often required or preferred for federal GS-454 (Rangeland Management Specialist) positions.
Next-gen rangeland managers
For more than 100 years, University of Idaho students have been at the forefront of rangeland research and Vandals manage millions of acres in the West. Learn about the research U of I is conducting out on the range.
Why choose rangeland ecology and management at U of I?
- One of a small number of SRM-accredited programs in the nation — employers in the field recognize the credential.
- Unmatched field facilities — Rinker Rock Creek Ranch (10,400 acres) is one of the most distinctive rangeland teaching and research venues in the West. Students don't just read about range management — they do it.
- Embedded field learning — core courses feature extensive, multi-day field trips to real rangeland landscapes with working rangeland professionals.
- The Rangeland Center — a hub of applied research and student engagement that provides on-campus internships and keeps students connected to the challenges practitioners are grappling with.
- Strong career placement — almost all graduates from this program in the past decade have gone on to careers in natural resource management or graduate study.
- Idaho LAUNCH eligible — Idaho residents may qualify for up to $8,000 in additional scholarship funding.
- Strong faculty-to-student ratio (16:1) — students work directly with internationally recognized researchers and practitioners.