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2026 Best Value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$26,484 Avg Student Debt
$58,801 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Bachelor's Degree Badge [Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/water-wetlands-and-marine-resources-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 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in water, wetlands, & marine resources management, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Florida Gulf Coast University the best value for a degree in water, wetlands, & marine resources management in the United States. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $21,730 in student loans. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $30,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,730 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,132 to complete the water, wetlands, & marine resources management program here. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,132 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

3

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Oregon State University one of the best values for water, wetlands, & marine resources management. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $34,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,422. Set against $34,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in water, wetlands, & marine resources management will find it at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $22,843. Early-career water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates make about $43,262. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 for value in water, wetlands, & marine resources management this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $21,815 to complete the water, wetlands, & marine resources management program here. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $30,362. Set against $21,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

7

Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science earned the #7 position for value in water, wetlands, & marine resources management this year. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paul Smiths. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,009. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the water, wetlands, & marine resources management program here. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science generally make around $41,863. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8
Everglades University crest
Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL

Everglades University landed the #8 spot for water, wetlands, & marine resources management value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,680 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $47,000 to complete the water, wetlands, & marine resources management program here. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Everglades University generally make around $41,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

9
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #9 for value in water, wetlands, & marine resources management this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates make about $41,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

Other Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management
Associate's Degrees in Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management
Master's Degrees in Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management

View All Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 38 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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