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Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools

2023 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

287 Colleges
$14,510 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$35,963 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Natural Resources Conservation School for You

In 2020-2021, 22,254 people earned a degree or certificate in natural resources conservation, making the major the #49 most popular in the United States.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. This report analyzed 287 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for conservation students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Natural Resources Conservation

#1

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best value school in the United States for natural resources conservation students. Located in the fringe town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Columbia Southern University undergraduate students pay an average of $5,775 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at Columbia Southern University take out is $29,045.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Columbia Southern University also is in the top 10% of our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at American Military University are $7,360 per year. The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at American Military University take out is $25,250.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, American Military University also did well on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 287 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the # 3 spot on the list. BYU - I is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Rexburg.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU - I are $4,416 a year.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Phoenix - Arizona is a great value for natural resources conservation students. Located in the city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UOPX - Arizona are $9,552 per year. On average, conservation graduates from UOPX - Arizona take out $45,122 in student loans while working on their degree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, UOPX - Arizona also did well on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#5

Webster University

Saint Louis, MO
$28,700 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Webster University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best natural resources conservation schools in the United States. Webster is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Webster are $28,700 per year.

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University of Maryland Global Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public college with a very large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMGC are $12,336 per year. While working on their degree, conservation majors at UMGC accumulate an average of around $14,031 in student debt.

UMGC also claimed a spot on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

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#7

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN
$14,436 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University Global came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school with a very large student population.

Purdue University Global undergraduate students pay an average of $14,436 in tuition and fees each year.

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With a ranking of #8, South Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for natural resources conservation students. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Dakota State are $12,809 per year.

South Dakota State also claimed a spot on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

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Bemidji State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in the remote town of Bemidji.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bemidji State University are $9,806 per year.

Bemidji State University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.

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Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. ASU - Skysong is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Scottsdale.

ASU - Skysong undergraduate students pay an average of $13,092 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at ASU - Skysong take out is $20,490. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $245.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, ASU - Skysong also is in the top 15% of our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking.

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#12

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH
$9,732 Average Tuition & Fees

Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school located in the city of Youngstown.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Youngstown State University are $9,732 a year.

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#13

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

University of North Georgia ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. UNG is a large public school located in the distant town of Dahlonega.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNG are $16,014 a year. On average, conservation graduates from UNG take out $18,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

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University of Minnesota - Crookston landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. Located in the distant town of Crookston, UMN Crookston is a public college with a small student population.

UMN Crookston undergraduate students pay an average of $12,514 in tuition and fees each year. On average, conservation graduates from UMN Crookston take out $20,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

UMN Crookston excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.

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$18,856 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Fullerton came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Fullerton.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Cal State Fullerton are $18,856 a year.

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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. Located in the fringe town of Shippensburg, Ship is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ship are $14,122 a year. While working on their degree, conservation majors at Ship accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt.

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#17

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, WA
$7,507 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Skagit Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for natural resources conservation students. Located in the small city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a public school with a small student population.

Skagit Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,507 in tuition and fees each year.

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#18

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Buzzards Bay, Maritime is a public college with a small student population.

Maritime undergraduate students pay an average of $25,104 in tuition and fees each year. Conservation majors at Maritime take out an average of $25,575 in student loans while working on their egree.

In addition to its great value ranking, Maritime is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.

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$20,994 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #18 on the list. UH Clear Lake is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Houston.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UH Clear Lake are $20,994 per year.

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#20

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 per year. After completing their degree, conservation graduates from St. Cloud State University carry an average student debtload of $31,000.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, St. Cloud State University also did well on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#21

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC
$8,367 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Carolina University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. WCU is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Cullowhee.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCU are $8,367 per year. Conservation majors at WCU take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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$15,170 Average Tuition & Fees

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #22 on the list. Kutztown University is a medium-sized public school located in the fringe town of Kutztown.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Kutztown University are $15,170 a year. The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at Kutztown University take out is $26,250.

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University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the city of Green Bay, UW - Green Bay is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

UW - Green Bay undergraduate students pay an average of $16,091 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, conservation graduates from UW - Green Bay carry an average student debtload of $22,833.

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University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the distant town of Whitewater, UW - Whitewater is a public school with a fairly large student population.

UW - Whitewater undergraduate students pay an average of $16,602 in tuition and fees each year. Conservation majors at UW - Whitewater take out an average of $23,963 in student loans while working on their egree.

In addition to its great value ranking, UW - Whitewater is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.

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$16,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #25 on the list. Clarion University is a small public school located in the town of Clarion.

Clarion University undergraduate students pay an average of $16,052 in tuition and fees each year.

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Rest of the Top Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools

#32

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#35

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN
#37

University of Houston

Houston, TX
#39

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY
#40

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools award.

Rank College Location
44 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
45 Queens College Queens, NY
46 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
47 Unity College Unity, ME
48 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
49 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
50 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
51 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
52 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
52 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
54 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
55 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
55 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
57 Stockton University Galloway, NJ

Natural Resources Conservation by Region

View the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Natural Resources Conservation is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Natural Resource Management 2,933
Wildlife Management 2,449
Forestry 2,233
Fisheries Sciences 483
Natural Resources Conservation (Other) 151

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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