2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resource management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resource management students.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resource management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $34,017 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $38,766. Set against $34,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resource management will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,748 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $33,543. That is a strong return on a $22,748 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in natural resource management will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #5. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,962. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $36,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $22,132. Natural Resource Management 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%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,795 median debt.
University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best values for natural resource management. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Angelo State University placed #9 among the best values for natural resource management. 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 resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Glenville State College came in at #10 for value in natural resource management this year. Glenville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenville. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,354. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $42,490. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #11 position for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $20,000. Natural Resource Management graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $37,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
West Virginia University earned the #12 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $47,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #13 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $19,835 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $20,825 early in their careers. Set against $19,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for natural resource management. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Morrisville State College landed the #15 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the rural area of Morrisville, Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $19,245. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $12,000. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $41,207. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #16 position for value in natural resource management this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, natural resource management 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. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana came in at #18 for value in natural resource management this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill landed the #20 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,490. Natural Resource Management graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $31,793 early in their careers. Set against $23,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,008. Natural Resource Management graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $32,516 early in their careers. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $21,755 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $48,967. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont earned the #23 position for value in natural resource management this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $22,607. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Unity College placed #24 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Unity College earn a median of $41,685 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $28,252 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $61,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,252 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resource management value ranking:
Other Natural Resource Management Degree Levels
Explore the best-value natural resource management schools at other degree levels:
View All Natural Resource Management Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
