2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value natural resource management schools.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resource management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College the best value for a degree in natural resource management in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Hawkeye Community College one of the best values for natural resource management. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $40,971. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
