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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

21 Ranked Colleges
1,362 Degrees Awarded
$12,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States 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. 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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 $30-$48k” 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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 181 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,609 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Natural Resources Conservation Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,427 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State University.

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 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Iowa State

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 52 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $8,697 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

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%.

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

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris also took the #19 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $2,230 for Plains States 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%.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Crookston, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Crookston not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,808 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Crookston.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Minnesota - Crookston

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 136 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNL has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $13,453 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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 Nebraska - Lincoln Natural Resources Conservation Report

7

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mizzou has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,386 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 University of Missouri - Columbia

8
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. St. Olaf is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 33 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Olaf is $11,138 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at St Olaf College

9
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. 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 $10,543 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Macalester College

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at St. Cloud State University

11
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #11, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 20 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $14,846 for Plains States 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%.

Full South Dakota State Natural Resources Conservation Report

12
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,445 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Gustavus Adolphus

13
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #13, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

Iowa also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 88%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Iowa

14

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,751 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

The low undergrad 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%.

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

15
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Bemidji State University also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,377 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 more about Natural Resources Conservation at Bemidji State University

16
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, KU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,288 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.

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 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full KU Natural Resources Conservation Report

17
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Webster is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Webster has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,039 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.

Full Webster Natural Resources Conservation Report

18

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $11,294 for Plains States Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Natural Resources Conservation Report

19
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SJU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegeville, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SJU also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $16,058 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SJU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at SJU

20
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 15 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Luther, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Luther College is $20,153 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Luther College

21

Upper Iowa University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

UIU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIU is $20,104 for plains states region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UIU

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