Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Natural Resources Conservation

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

28 Ranked Colleges
1,021 Degrees Awarded
$30,443 Avg Salary
Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 22,202 people earned their degree in natural resources conservation, making the major the 50th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, natural resources conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,654 and had an average of $25,969 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,352 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,043 and $33,930 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,021 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the natural resources conservation program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources Conservation Schools

The conservation school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $11,832 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Washington University in St Louis

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 124 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $12,556 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 93%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Natural Resources Conservation Report

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #3 spot on the list. UMN Morris is located in Morris, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 bachelors’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMN Morris has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,558 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Morris Natural Resources Conservation Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Crookston, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

UMN Crookston not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston is $8,680 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 89 bachelors’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $14,161 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Iowa State University

#6

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Valley City State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Valley City State University is located in Valley City, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Valley City State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $11,840 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Valley City State University

#7

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $13,373 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full St. Cloud State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

With a ranking of #8, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 36 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $12,438 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s conservation degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,833 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Nebraska at Omaha

With a ranking of #10, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 79 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $16,197 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UNL

#11

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 23 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Olaf also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $17,577 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend St. Olaf.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full St Olaf College Natural Resources Conservation Report

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s conservation degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $14,451 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Minnesota State Mankato Natural Resources Conservation Report

#13

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Macalester College is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 18 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Macalester also took the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,102 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Macalester College.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The 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 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

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $13,145 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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%. 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 Mizzou

#15

Saint Johns University

Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Saint Johns University is a small school located in Collegeville, Minnesota that handed out 12 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, SJU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Johns University is $19,017 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SJU Natural Resources Conservation Report

#16

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s conservation degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $12,882 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 68 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $18,272 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Iowa

#18

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 8 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,326 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at South Dakota State

#19

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 27 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMKC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $14,571 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UMKC

#20

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,889 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kansas State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Kansas State University

#21

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 bachelors’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Gustavus Adolphus also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $14,548 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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.

Full Gustavus Adolphus Natural Resources Conservation Report

#22

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #22, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, KU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $17,132 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full University of Kansas Natural Resources Conservation Report

#23

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 13 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,852 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Luther.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Luther College Natural Resources Conservation Report

#24

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $26,589 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Drake.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Drake University

#25

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $22,228 for plains states region bachelor’s degree conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%. 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 Bethel University Minnesota

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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

Credits

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

Featured Environment / Natural Resources Schools

Find Schools Near You