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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in California

29 Ranked Colleges
3,504 Degrees Awarded
$11,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 California, there were 3,504 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,140 and $19,839 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 604 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 UC Berkeley Natural Resources Conservation Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 269 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 93%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UC Davis

3

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 101 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,891 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UCLA

4
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pitzer College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

Pitzer did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Pitzer College is $17,181 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Pitzer

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $8,449 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of California - Irvine

6

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 470 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 UCSB

7

University of California - San Diego came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 83 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $11,176 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UCSD

8
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 109 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at San Diego State University

9

California State University - Fullerton came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,821 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Cal State Fullerton

10

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 220 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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 85%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Natural Resources Conservation Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $8,193 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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 91%.

Full UCR Natural Resources Conservation Report

12

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,613 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSB Natural Resources Conservation Report

13
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $13,378 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at San Jose State

14

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 86 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

CSUMB also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $10,711 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at California State University - Monterey Bay

15

California State University - Long Beach landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,573 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at California State University - Long Beach

16

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $9,055 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Sac State

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,025 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at California State University - East Bay

18
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 177 students in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $12,298 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Humboldt State University

19
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

SFSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $11,862 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at San Francisco State University

20

California State University - San Marcos ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school awarded 52 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,348 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSM.

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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at California State University - San Marcos

21

California State University - Chico ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

Chico State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $13,040 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at California State University - Chico

22
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SCU is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

SCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SCU is $23,508 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Santa Clara University Natural Resources Conservation Report

23
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

SSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,983 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Sonoma State University

24

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for california conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

25
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #25, Occidental College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oxy is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Oxy also took the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oxy is $13,475 for California Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Occidental College

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