2027 Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools

[Natural Resources Management & Policy](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/natural-resources-management-and-policy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resources management & policy students.
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Finding the Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy School for You
The right natural resources management & policy school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy 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 Resources Management & Policy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resources management & policy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools
Colorado Mountain College tops our 2027 list of the best value natural resources management & policy schools in the United States. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $12,953. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for natural resources management & policy. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $14,238. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources management & policy, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the natural resources management & policy program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources management & policy, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $17,001. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #5 place for natural resources management & policy. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $22,748 to complete the natural resources management & policy program here. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $33,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming came in at #6 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the natural resources management & policy program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #7 spot for natural resources management & policy value this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $21,962. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $36,846. Set against $21,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources management & policy schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,132 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #9 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $26,000. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $42,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University came in at #10 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the natural resources management & policy program here. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources management & policy schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $19,835. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $35,117. That is a strong return on a $19,835 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #12 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $22,113. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Morrisville State College came in at #13 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Located in the rural area of Morrisville, Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $19,245 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $12,000. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $41,207. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for natural resources management & policy value this year. 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, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $40,971. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources management & policy schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,019. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #16 among the best values for natural resources management & policy. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $16,616. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana landed the #17 spot for natural resources management & policy value this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the natural resources management & policy program here. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #18 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $9,303 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #19 spot for natural resources management & policy value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $21,755. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $48,967. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #20 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $23,008. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $32,516. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill came in at #21 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cobleskill. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill generally make around $31,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources management & policy schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $28,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources management & policy degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $61,674. Set against $28,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources management & policy schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $34,429 in student loans. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $48,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #24 for value in natural resources management & policy this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $21,815. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $30,362. Set against $21,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #25 among the best values for natural resources management & policy. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $22,843. Early-career natural resources management & policy graduates make about $43,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural resources management & policy this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.