<p>My family doesn't have a lot of money so I can't really afford private schools, but from what I researched it seems that most of the schools with good science programs are private, expensive schools. :/ I am most likely going to end up going to school in my home state (Ohio) no matter how hard I try to get out. I've lived here my whole life so I'm just a bit tired of it. </p>
<p>Anyway, I want to major in something like ecology or environmental science. I want to become a conservationist and help protect the environment and its inhabitants. So my questions are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What other majors are out there that could help me achieve this (preferrably without having to go to grad school)?</p></li>
<li><p>What are some public or state schools (even out of state) that have good science/environmental science/ecology programs?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Look at the websites for Ohio state schools and see which offer programs in the field you are interested in. That seems like the simplest place to start. If you are worried about finances, out of state public makes as little financial sense as a private school (if there is no reciprocity). However, keep an eye out for some private schools as well. Look at their net price calculators and see if they have any merit scholarships that might be advantageous.</p>
<p>As for your career path, it is a tricky one. My cousin and his wife both studied in that area (wildlife ecology and environmental science, I think), and have spent the few years post-graduation working seasonal jobs around the country in state/national parks, sometimes across the country from each other. It is a really tough job market. Most of the positions are in government agencies, and with budgets as they are, they aren’t exactly in a hiring boom. My cousin and spouse are now moving halfway across the country because one of them got into grad school in northern Maine. It’s not an easy career trajectory.</p>