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2022 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

22 Ranked Colleges
1,872 Degrees Awarded
$11,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Natural Resources Conservation is the 50th most popular major in the country with 22,202 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, natural resources conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,654 and had an average of $25,969 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,872 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,633 and $25,772 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural resources conservation program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources Conservation Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Rio Grande Valley, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $2,993 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school awarded 293 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,454 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas A&M University - College Station.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M College Station Natural Resources Conservation Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Houston - Clear Lake. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Houston - Clear Lake is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UH Clear Lake also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UH Clear Lake is $4,517 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Houston - Clear Lake

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Tempe. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 221 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,044 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Arizona State University - Tempe.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Natural Resources Conservation Report

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Tech University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $12,317 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Texas Tech University Natural Resources Conservation Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 28 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, OSU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OSU is $8,669 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at OSU

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 18 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $10,203 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Houston Natural Resources Conservation Report

#8

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 139 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $10,562 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Arizona.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of Arizona Natural Resources Conservation Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $10,516 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Natural Resources Conservation Report

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stephen F Austin State University is a fairly large school located in Nacogdoches, Texas that handed out 18 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Stephen F Austin State University is $8,650 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Stephen F Austin State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Phoenix - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 150 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UOPX - Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Phoenix - Arizona is $12,601 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UOPX - Arizona Natural Resources Conservation Report

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 103 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,125 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas State.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Texas State University

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $6,896 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

#14

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school handed out 122 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $9,251 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Arizona University.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at NAU

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Arlington is $11,811 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at The University of Texas at Arlington

Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Texas A&M University - Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 11 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,013 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas A&M University - Commerce.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Texas A&M Commerce

#17

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Skysong also took the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,037 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ASU - Skysong.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at ASU - Skysong

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 64 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $16,675 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Oklahoma

#18

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

With a ranking of #18, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a fairly large school located in Corpus Christi, Texas that handed out 57 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi also took the #19 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi is $15,501 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Texas A&M Corpus Christi

#19

Southwestern University

Georgetown, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Southwestern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Georgetown, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Southwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $20,296 for Southwest Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southwestern.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Southwestern University

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Tarleton is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 9 ’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton State University is $15,604 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tarleton Natural Resources Conservation Report

#21

Saint Edward's University

Austin, Texas

With a ranking of #21, Saint Edward’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Edward’s University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Edward’s University is $19,126 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saint Edward’s University Natural Resources Conservation Report

#22

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Waco, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

Baylor did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Baylor University is $26,726 for southwest region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 Baylor University Natural Resources Conservation Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.

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