College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,377 Avg Student Debt
$57,480 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Badge [Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resource management students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools

1
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College earned the #1 spot for value among natural resource management schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $27,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $40,553. Set against $22,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for natural resource management. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $27,000. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $35,019. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

4
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #4 place for natural resource management. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

5
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #5 place for natural resource management. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

6

Loyola University Chicago ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

Narrow Natural Resource Management Schools by State

View All Natural Resource Management Rankings >

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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options