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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (With Aid)

127 Ranked Colleges
3,062 Degrees Awarded
$29,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

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 for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Natural Resources Conservation is the 50th most popular major in the country with 22,202 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,062 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 127 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources conservation programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (With Aid)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

Out of the 127 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #1 spot on the list. Yale is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 168 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree conservation students with aid list, Yale has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Yale University

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 195 masters’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Harvard also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard University Natural Resources Conservation Report

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UNC Chapel Hill

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 127 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle Natural Resources Conservation Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Cal State Fullerton

#6

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified masters’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894.

Full The University of West Florida Natural Resources Conservation Report

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 64 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Natural Resources Conservation Report

University of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UAF is a medium-sized public school situated in Fairbanks, Alaska. It awarded 5 masters’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alaska Fairbanks are $24,287, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UAF Natural Resources Conservation Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree conservation students with aid list, UW - Madison has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Natural Resources Conservation Report

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Natural Resources Conservation Report

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

University of California - Berkeley landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 76 masters’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full University of California - Berkeley Natural Resources Conservation Report

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Natural Resources Conservation Report

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified masters’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UIUC

#14

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

North Carolina State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at North Carolina State University

Florida International University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Florida International University

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. University of Houston - Clear Lake is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston - Clear Lake are $19,216.

Full UH Clear Lake Natural Resources Conservation Report

#17

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UCR

#18

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUSB Natural Resources Conservation Report

#19

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #19, Marshall University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, this fairly large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s conservation students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162.

Full Marshall University Natural Resources Conservation Report

#20

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Natural Resources Conservation Report

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 76 masters’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

Columbia also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Columbia University in the City of New York

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. USF Tampa is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 16 masters’s conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#23

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UMCP

#24

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790.

Full San Jose State University Natural Resources Conservation Report

#25

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Conservation Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s conservation degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UIS

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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.

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