College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Conservation Schools

269 Ranked Colleges
22,254 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Conservation Schools” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Natural Resources Conservation is the 49th most popular major in the country with 22,254 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, natural resources conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,963 and had an average of $23,098 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools” ranking analyzed 269 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources conservation programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the natural resources conservation program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Conservation Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Conservation Schools” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Conservation Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for conservation students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation

1
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 334 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, American Military University is also in the top of our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend American Public University System is $10,563 for Conservation students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Full American Public University System Natural Resources Conservation Report

2
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Webster University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. Webster University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Webster also claimed a top spot on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $23,248 for conservation students per year to attend Webster University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Webster University

3
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Conservation Schools. South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,578 for Conservation students per year to attend South Dakota State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Natural Resources Conservation Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 142 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $13,038 for conservation students.

Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Natural Resources Conservation Report

5
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
Indianapolis, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University Global. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. Purdue University Global is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 23 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue University Global

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $13,092 for conservation students.

Full UW - Green Bay Natural Resources Conservation Report

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 52 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for Conservation students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UMN Duluth

8

Iowa State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 101 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State excels when it comes to conservation quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for Conservation students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Iowa State

9
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, this fairly large public school handed out 67 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,085 for Conservation students per year to attend UW.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UW

10
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 155 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Florida State is in the top on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $9,946 for conservation students per year to attend Florida State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Florida State

11

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 94 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Arizona State University - Skysong

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. UW - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Conservation students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UW - River Falls Natural Resources Conservation Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. University of Oklahoma is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Oklahoma excels when it comes to conservation quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $21,122 for conservation students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Oklahoma Natural Resources Conservation Report

14
Columbia Southern University crest
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama

With a ranking of #14, Columbia Southern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Columbia Southern University is $11,241 for conservation students.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Columbia Southern University

15
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking, coming in at #15. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 21 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $16,033 for conservation students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bemidji State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

16
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking, coming in at #16. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 41 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,007 for conservation students per year to attend Central Michigan.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Central Michigan University

17

University of Minnesota - Crookston ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. Located in Crookston, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,593 for Conservation students per year to attend UMN Crookston.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Minnesota - Crookston

18
Unity crest
Unity College
Unity, Maine

Unity College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. This small school is located in Unity, Maine, and it awarded 34 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Unity is $26,261 for conservation students.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Unity

19

With a ranking of #19, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools list. This small school is located in Syracuse, New York, and it awarded 121 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

ESF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend ESF is $21,413 for Conservation students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

20

Youngstown State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 11 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,225 for conservation students per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Full Youngstown State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

21

University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 111 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,136 for conservation students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNCW Natural Resources Conservation Report

22

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 142 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $8,346 for Conservation students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of South Florida - Main Campus

23

Grand Valley State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 60 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $17,356 for Conservation students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Grand Valley State University

24
25
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools ranking, coming in at #25. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 208 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $16,411 for conservation students.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full NC State Natural Resources Conservation Report

Rest of the Best 41 in Best Value Conservation Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
28
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
29
30
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
31
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, Washington
32
33
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California
34
35
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
36
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington
37
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
38
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
39
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, Indiana
40
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
41
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options