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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

21 Ranked Colleges
1,362 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,362 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,125 and $24,828 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources conservation. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great natural resources conservation programs and cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources Conservation Schools

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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 Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

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

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 181 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 101 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $9,766 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

3

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 52 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth

4
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Macalester College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 19 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Macalester also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $13,926 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Macalester College

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Crookston is a small school located in Crookston, Minnesota that handed out 17 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Crookston has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Crookston is $5,893 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Minnesota - Crookston Natural Resources Conservation Report

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UNL

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Morris is a small public school situated in Morris, Minnesota. It awarded 12 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $3,941 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Morris.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 University of Minnesota - Morris Natural Resources Conservation Report

8

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 69 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,005 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Mizzou

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #9, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $13,554 for plains states 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 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 University of Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Report

10
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $14,171 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Natural Resources Conservation at South Dakota State University

11
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 33 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,112 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Olaf.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.

Full St. Olaf Natural Resources Conservation Report

12
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 11 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Cloud State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

13
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Webster University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Webster also took the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,047 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Webster University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 more about Natural Resources Conservation at Webster

14

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMKC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Missouri - Kansas City

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #15, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend KU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full KU Natural Resources Conservation Report

16
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 21 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,178 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Bemidji State University

17
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Gustavus Adolphus also took the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $15,735 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Gustavus Adolphus College

18

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,578 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UNOMAHA

19
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Johns University is a small school located in Collegeville, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

SJU also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Johns University is $15,314 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Saint Johns University Natural Resources Conservation Report

20
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Luther is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decorah, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Luther also took the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Luther College is $21,838 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Luther

21

Upper Iowa University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UIU also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $25,363 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Upper Iowa University.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UIU

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