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2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

43 Ranked Colleges
3,064 Degrees Awarded
$9,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region 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. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,064 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,465 and $23,360 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources conservation programs, but they also 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.

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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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 310 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,670 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend U-M.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 444 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,788 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UW - Madison

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 107 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Indiana University - Bloomington

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 41 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,036 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UIUC

6

With a ranking of #6, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 158 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Ohio State

7
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #7, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ball State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $10,786 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Ball State University

8

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 27 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIS has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,482 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIS.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Illinois at Springfield

9

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 61 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Green Bay, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,445 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

10
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oberlin, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Oberlin also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $13,745 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Oberlin Natural Resources Conservation Report

11

Michigan Technological University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan Technological University is a public institution located in Houghton, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,983 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan Tech.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Michigan Technological University

12

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 34 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $9,478 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Natural Resources Conservation Report

13
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,839 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Oakland University Natural Resources Conservation Report

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Dearborn is located in Dearborn, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,465 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Natural Resources Conservation Report

15
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, Indiana

Vincennes University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Vincennes, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Vincennes University is $10,531 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Vincennes University

16
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

Denison University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Granville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Denison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Denison is $14,686 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Denison Natural Resources Conservation Report

17

With a ranking of #17, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school handed out 60 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $11,026 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Grand Valley State University

18
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 76 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Michigan State University

19
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 41 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Report

20

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,972 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Youngstown State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

21
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Marquette, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 52 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northern Michigan University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $10,573 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Northern Michigan University

22

University of Wisconsin - Stout ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and it awarded 20 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout is $10,958 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Stout

23

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,952 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UM Flint.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Michigan - Flint

24

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 13 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Natural Resources Conservation Report

25

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 27 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $10,390 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

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