2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

For return on investment in natural resource management, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Colorado Northwestern Community College
Rangely, CO

Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $18,127 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $56,978 early in their careers. Set against $18,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

4

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $26,000. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $42,204. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Montana earned it the #5 place for natural resource management. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $24,342. Natural Resource Management graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

6

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #6 position for value in natural resource management this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $22,843. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $43,262. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver landed the #7 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $69,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.