2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resource management students.
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2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resource management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland College Park the best value for a degree in natural resource management in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #2 makes Morrisville State College one of the best values for natural resource management. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,245. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $41,207. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #3 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
Stony Brook University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $37,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,490. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $31,793. Set against $23,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #6 among the best values for natural resource management. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #7 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,275 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $36,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science came in at #8 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the rural area of Paul Smiths, Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,009. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science generally make around $41,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marist College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,620. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $25,962. Natural Resource Management graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
