2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Natural Resource Management master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 196 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best-value Natural Resource Management school in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full American Public University System profile
A rank of #2 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Out of the 196 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Arizona State University Skysong landed the #3 spot. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Arizona State University Skysong Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $23,742 in debt. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
A rank of #4 makes Unity College one of the best values in the United States. Set in New Gloucester, ME, Unity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,852. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Read more about Unity College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Natural Resource Management ranking in the United States. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $23,393. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Delaware placed #6 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. This public school is set in Newark, DE. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $24,861. Median earnings reach $72,950 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Delaware
Texas Tech University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $24,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Texas Tech University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $22,113. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $22,132. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,990 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Oneonta, NY, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,046 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Suny College At Oneonta alumni report median earnings of $60,386 a decade after entry. Set against $22,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. See the full Suny College At Oneonta profile
Texas A And M University College Station offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,815 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. More on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $21,813. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #14 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Oregon State University landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $34,429 in student loans. Median earnings reach $64,010 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Oregon State University
University Of Denver ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. University Of Denver alumni report median earnings of $71,155 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants. See the full University Of Denver profile
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%. Read more about Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
California State University Monterey Bay offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. California State University Monterey Bay is a public school based in Seaside, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. California State University Monterey Bay Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $14,622 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,247. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Get the full California State University Monterey Bay report
Duke University placed #19 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,800. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%. Read the full report on Duke University
Stony Brook University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,502 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 49% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Stony Brook University
West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. West Virginia University Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,939. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read more about West Virginia University
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Median earnings reach $82,860 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of Idaho landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,670. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Idaho has an acceptance rate of 76%. More on University Of Idaho
Michigan State University placed #24 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,755 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,253. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. More on Michigan State University
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $23,013. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,967. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington has an acceptance rate of 64%. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Florida International University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Miami, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $19,349. Florida International University alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Florida International University report
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Resource Management program debt is $18,559. Median earnings reach $68,396 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 66% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
Northern Arizona University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $21,645. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,384. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. More on Northern Arizona University
Portland State University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Based in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,906 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read the full report on Portland State University
University Of Rhode Island landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. University Of Rhode Island Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,743. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants. Read more about University Of Rhode Island
University Of Connecticut offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. University Of Connecticut Natural Resource Management students take on a median of $23,637 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
The University Of Montana came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Based in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical Natural Resource Management student debt is $24,342. Median earnings reach $44,511 ten years out. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Montana
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #33 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $19,835 to complete their Natural Resource Management program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,624. That is a strong return on a $19,835 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Antioch University New England landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Keene, NH. Median earnings reach $51,541 ten years out. Read the full report on Antioch University New England
Green River Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. See the full Green River Community College profile
Harvard University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Harvard University
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Minnesota Duluth
Cornell College
Cornell College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. More on Cornell College
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. See the full Pikes Peak Community College profile
Carnegie Mellon University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. Read the full report on Universidad Metropolitana
University Of Vermont ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. Read more about University Of Vermont
Northwestern Oklahoma State University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Northwestern Oklahoma State University profile
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #44 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Rocky Mountain College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Resource Management schools. More on Rocky Mountain College
Mississippi State University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Mississippi State University
Sul Ross State University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Sul Ross State University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #49 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Riverland Community College placed #50 among the best-value Natural Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about Riverland Community College
Related Natural Resource Management Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Resource Management Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 196 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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