2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Natural Resources & Conservation School for You
Natural Resources & Conservation is the #25 most popular major in the country with 30,503 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking. This report analyzed 299 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for natural resources and conservation students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the United States
Check out the natural resources and conservation programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Natural Resources & Conservation
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best value school in the United States for natural resources and conservation students. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year. The average amount in student loans that natural resources and 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.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at Columbia Southern University Report
The excellent programs at American Public University System helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best natural resources and conservation schools in the United States. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.
American Military University undergraduate students pay an average of $7,360 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, natural resources and conservation graduates from American Military University carry an average student debtload of $25,250.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, American Military University also is in the top 5% of our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Haywood Community College is a great value for natural resources and conservation students. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of Clyde.
Haywood Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,724 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Haywood Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Located in the town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Brigham Young University - Idaho
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Phoenix - Arizona is a great value for natural resources and conservation students. UOPX - Arizona is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UOPX - Arizona are $9,552 a year. While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of around $45,122 in student debt.
UOPX - Arizona excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Phoenix - Arizona Report
Webster University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, Webster is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Webster are $28,700 per year.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at Webster University Report
With a ranking of #7, University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for natural resources and conservation students. UMGC is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Adelphi.
UMGC undergraduate students pay an average of $12,336 in tuition and fees each year. On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from UMGC take out $14,031 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, UMGC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list.
South Dakota State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources and conservation programs. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Dakota State are $12,809 a year. On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from South Dakota State take out $24,874 in student loans while working on their degree.
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
Purdue University Global ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Purdue University Global is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Indianapolis.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Purdue University Global are $14,436 a year.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Purdue University Global
Skagit Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #10 on the list. Skagit Valley College is a small public school located in the city of Mount Vernon.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Skagit Valley College are $7,507 per year.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at Skagit Valley College Report
Bemidji State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the remote town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Bemidji State University are $9,806 a year. While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at Bemidji State University accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.
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.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Bemidji State University
Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources and conservation programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public college with a fairly large student population.
ASU - Skysong undergraduate students pay an average of $13,092 in tuition and fees each year. On average, natural resources and conservation graduates from ASU - Skysong take out $20,490 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $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.
Valley City State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking. Located in the remote town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a public college with a small student population.
Valley City State University undergraduate students pay an average of $12,969 in tuition and fees each year.
In addition to its great value ranking, Valley City State University is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Valley City State University
Youngstown State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public school with a large student population.
Youngstown State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at Youngstown State University Report
University of North Georgia ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Located in the distant town of Dahlonega, UNG is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNG are $16,014 a year. Natural Resources & Conservation majors at UNG take out an average of $18,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Dakota State University are $14,876 per year. While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at North Dakota State University accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.
In addition to its great value ranking, North Dakota State University is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at North Dakota State University - Main Campus
University of Minnesota - Crookston ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. UMN Crookston is a small public school located in the town of Crookston.
UMN Crookston undergraduate students pay an average of $12,514 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at UMN Crookston accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt.
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.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Crookston Report
Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources and conservation programs. Located in the small city of Williamsport, Penn College is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Penn College are $25,170 a year. The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at Penn College take out is $12,000.
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for natural resources and conservation students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public college with a fairly large student population.
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 #21 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Ship is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg.
Ship undergraduate students pay an average of $14,122 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, natural resources and 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
University of Houston - Clear Lake ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Houston, UH Clear Lake is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UH Clear Lake are $20,994 per year.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Houston - Clear Lake Report
Massachusetts Maritime Academy landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value natural resources and conservation programs. Maritime is a small public school located in the midsize suburb of Buzzards Bay.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Maritime are $25,104 a year. The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at Maritime take out is $25,575.
In addition to its great value ranking, Maritime is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at Massachusetts Maritime Academy Report
Western Carolina University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Located in the town of Cullowhee, WCU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
WCU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,367 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, natural resources and conservation majors at WCU accumulate an average of around $25,500 in student debt.
Full Natural Resources & Conservation at Western Carolina University Report
Saint Cloud State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 a year. The average amount in student loans that natural resources and conservation majors at St. Cloud State University take out is $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.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Cloud State University
Rest of the Top Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Natural Resources & Conservation students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX |
| 46 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI |
| 47 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR |
| 48 | University of Illinois at Springfield | Springfield, IL |
| 49 | SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, NY |
| 50 | California University of Pennsylvania | California, PA |
| 51 | University of Oklahoma Norman Campus | Norman, OK |
| 52 | Queens College | Queens, NY |
| 53 | Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste Marie, MI |
| 53 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI |
| 55 | Unity College | Unity, ME |
| 56 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA |
| 57 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC |
| 57 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE |
| 59 | California State University - East Bay | Hayward, CA |
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
Natural Resources & Conservation Related Majors for Natural Resources & Conservation
Natural Resources & Conservation Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation | 22,254 |
| Natural Resource Management | 2,933 |
| Wildlife Management | 2,449 |
| Forestry | 2,233 |
| Fisheries Sciences | 483 |
| Natural Resources Conservation (Other) | 151 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Natural Resources & Conservation
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer & Information Sciences | 254,454 |
| Engineering | 198,468 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 177,778 |
| Engineering Technologies | 85,188 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 52,396 |
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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