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2027 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$21,804 Avg Student Debt
$55,910 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Badge [Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/natural-resource-recreation-and-tourism/) 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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resource recreation & tourism students.

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Finding the Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism School for You

The right natural resource recreation & tourism school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

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2027 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resource recreation & tourism, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools

1

For return on investment in natural resource recreation & tourism, no school beat Northwest Arkansas Community College this year. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Early-career natural resource recreation & tourism graduates make about $40,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in natural resource recreation & tourism will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for natural resource recreation & tourism graduates is $20,283. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

3

University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

4

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource recreation & tourism schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Montana earned it the #5 place for natural resource recreation & tourism. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource recreation & tourism graduates is $24,342. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

6
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College placed #6 among the best values for natural resource recreation & tourism. Unity College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.

7
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont earned the #7 position for value in natural resource recreation & tourism this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #8 position for value in natural resource recreation & tourism this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $21,755 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

9

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #9 for value in natural resource recreation & tourism this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource recreation & tourism graduates is $22,843. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $43,262. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #10 position for value in natural resource recreation & tourism this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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