by our College Data Analytics Team
[Range Science & Management](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/range-science-and-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value range science & management schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in range science & management, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in range science & management, no school beat Chadron State College this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Typical student debt for range science & management graduates is $15,989. Range Science & Management graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $36,558 early in their careers. Set against $15,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value range science & management schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for range science & management graduates is $25,153. Soon after graduation, range science & management degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $49,048. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #3 place for range science & management. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for range science & management graduates is $21,875. Range Science & Management graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,716 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in range science & management, landing the #4 spot this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Range Science & Management graduates carry a median of $21,905 in student loans. Range Science & Management graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,905 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #5 place for range science & management. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the range science & management program here. Range Science & Management graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
