2023 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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.
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2023 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the United States
The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for conservation majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Natural Resources Conservation
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best value school for natural resources conservation students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year. The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at Columbia Southern University take out is $29,045.
In addition to its great value ranking, Columbia Southern University is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at Columbia Southern University Report
Out of the 287 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
American Military University undergraduate students pay an average of $7,360 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that conservation majors at American Military University take out is $25,250.
American Military University also claimed a spot on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at American Public University System
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Idaho is a great value for natural resources conservation students. BYU - I is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU - I are $4,416 a year.
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 large city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UOPX - Arizona are $9,552 a year. On average, conservation graduates from UOPX - Arizona take out $45,122 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, UOPX - Arizona is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Webster University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Webster is a medium-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.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at Webster University Report
University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UMGC are $12,336 a 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.
Purdue University Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the small city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school with a very large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Purdue University Global are $14,436 per year.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue University Global
South Dakota State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Dakota State are $12,809 a year.
In addition to its great value ranking, South Dakota State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at South Dakota State University Report
Bemidji State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in the remote town of Bemidji.
Bemidji State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,806 in tuition and fees each year.
Bemidji State University also claimed a spot on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at Bemidji State University Report
With a ranking of #11, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s best value schools for natural resources conservation students. ASU - Skysong is a very large public school located in the 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.
ASU - Skysong excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Arizona State University - Skysong
Youngstown State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the small city of Youngstown.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Youngstown State University are $9,732 per year.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at Youngstown State University Report
With a ranking of #13, University of North Georgia did quite well on this year’s best value schools for natural resources conservation students. UNG is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Dahlonega.
UNG undergraduate students pay an average of $16,014 in tuition and fees each year. On average, conservation graduates from UNG take out $18,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
University of Minnesota - Crookston ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Located in the 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Crookston also is in the top 15% of our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Minnesota - Crookston
California State University - Fullerton landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. Cal State Fullerton is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Fullerton.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal State Fullerton are $18,856 per year.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at California State University - Fullerton
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Located in the fringe town of Shippensburg, Ship is a public school 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.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Skagit Valley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Skagit Valley College are $7,507 a year.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Maritime is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Maritime are $25,104 a year. Conservation majors at Maritime take out an average of $25,575 in student loans while working on their egree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Maritime also did well on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at Massachusetts Maritime Academy Report
University of Houston - Clear Lake ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. UH Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Houston.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UH Clear Lake are $20,994 per year.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Houston - Clear Lake
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 small 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.
St. Cloud State University also claimed a spot on our Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Full Natural Resources Conservation at Saint Cloud State University Report
Western Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources conservation students. It came in at #21 on the list. WCU is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee.
WCU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,367 in tuition and fees each year. Conservation majors at WCU take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources conservation programs. Kutztown University is a moderately-sized public school located in the 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.
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 medium-sized city of Green Bay, UW - Green Bay is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Green Bay are $16,091 per year. After completing their degree, conservation graduates from UW - Green Bay carry an average student debtload of $22,833.
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools list. Located in the town of Whitewater, UW - Whitewater is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Whitewater are $16,602 a 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.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Clarion University of Pennsylvania came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools ranking. 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.
Rest of the Top Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools
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 |
More Natural Resources Conservation Rankings
Majors Related to Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.
Most Popular Related Majors
| 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.
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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