2027 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/natural-resource-recreation-and-tourism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value natural resource recreation & tourism schools.
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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
University Of Wyoming earned the #1 spot for value among natural resource recreation & tourism schools in the United States. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource recreation & tourism schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans. Early-career natural resource recreation & tourism graduates make about $40,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource recreation & tourism schools. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Unity College earned it the #5 place for natural resource recreation & tourism. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resource recreation & tourism graduates is $27,000. 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.
University Of Vermont placed #6 among the best values for natural resource recreation & tourism. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Michigan State University came in at #7 for value in natural resource recreation & tourism this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. 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 recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #8 among the best values for natural resource recreation & tourism. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $43,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University landed the #9 spot for natural resource recreation & tourism value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, 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. Early-career natural resource recreation & tourism graduates make about $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Other Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Degree Levels
Explore the best-value natural resource recreation & tourism schools at other degree levels:
View All Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.