Natural Resource Economics - MS

About This Degree

How should communities manage scarce water, public lands, energy, and other natural resources while supporting economic prosperity?

Utah State University’s Master of Science in Natural Resource Economics equips students with the economic and quantitative tools needed improve real-world resource decisions.

At Utah’s land-grant university, students study resource challenges where land, water, economic growth, and public policy intersect. Flexible electives and faculty-guided research allow students to shape the degree around their interests while preparing for analytical and leadership roles in government agencies, consulting firms, industry, and nonprofit organizations.

What You Will Learn

Students develop advanced skills in microeconomic theory, quantitative analysis, applied econometrics, natural resource economics, and regional and community       economic development. They learn to analyze data, evaluate policy alternatives and tradeoffs, model the allocation of scarce resources, and communicate evidence- based recommendations to decision-makers and stakeholders.

Coursework and faculty-guided research also build critical-thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and professional communication skills, with opportunities to explore  topics such as water, land, environmental policy, and community development.