2027 Best Value Natural Resource Economics Schools
[Natural Resource Economics](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/natural-resource-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resource economics students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Natural Resource Economics School for You
The natural resource economics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Natural Resource Economics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Natural Resource Economics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Natural Resource Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resource economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resource Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 best value for natural resource economics in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Natural Resource Economics graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Natural Resource Economics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned it the #2 place for natural resource economics. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for natural resource economics graduates is $22,132. Early-career natural resource economics graduates make about $40,553. That is a strong return on a $22,132 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resource economics will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Natural Resource Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Natural Resource Economics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $47,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the best values for natural resource economics. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $21,755 to complete the natural resource economics program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource economics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $48,967. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oregon State University earned it the #5 place for natural resource economics. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,429 to complete the natural resource economics program here. Early-career natural resource economics graduates make about $48,349. That is a strong return on a $34,429 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #6 for value in natural resource economics this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Natural Resource Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource economics degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $49,527. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #7 position for value in natural resource economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the natural resource economics program here. Natural Resource Economics graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Narrow Natural Resource Economics Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Natural Resource Economics. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
