2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
44
Ranked Colleges
3,064
Degrees Awarded
$15,700
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 22,254 people earned their degree in natural resources conservation, making the major the 49th most popular in the United States. 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.
This year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 44 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.
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 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 Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 in the Great Lakes Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region conservation students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University Global landed the #1 spot on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
Purdue University Global not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue University Global
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #2 spot on the list. UW - Green Bay is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students list, UW - Green Bay has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $13,092 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Full UW - Green Bay Natural Resources Conservation Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. 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 yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
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%.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UW - River Falls
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #4 spot on the list. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Central Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Youngstown State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for great lakes region conservation students.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Youngstown State University
Grand Valley State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
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 $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
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
Vincennes University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Vincennes University is a fairly large public school situated in Vincennes, Indiana. It awarded 31 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Vincennes University is $11,518 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Full Vincennes University Natural Resources Conservation Report
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue
University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 27 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIS, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIS is $12,034 for great lakes region conservation students.
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%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Illinois at Springfield
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Natural Resources Conservation Report
University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,589 for great lakes region conservation students per year to attend UW - Stout.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - Stout Natural Resources Conservation Report
Northern Michigan University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Northern Michigan University is a medium-sized school located in Marquette, Michigan that handed out 52 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Northern Michigan University also took the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $15,214 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Full Northern Michigan University Natural Resources Conservation Report
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $14,687 for great lakes region conservation students.
Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Natural Resources Conservation Report
Cleveland State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
Cleveland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $16,943 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Cleveland State University
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UW - Stevens Point
With a ranking of #16, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Kent State also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $19,117 for great lakes region conservation students.
Full Kent State University at Kent Natural Resources Conservation Report
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #17. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $14,765 for great lakes region conservation students.
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
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
Full UWM Natural Resources Conservation Report
University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 444 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students list, UW - Madison has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,234 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students per year to attend UW - Madison.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students per year to attend Northern Illinois University.
Full Northern Illinois University Natural Resources Conservation Report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 16 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $16,285 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Full SIUC Natural Resources Conservation Report
Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 56 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend OHIO Athens is $23,831 for great lakes region conservation students.
Full OHIO Athens Natural Resources Conservation Report
University of Toledo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #23. University of Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Toledo is $17,312 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of Toledo
With a ranking of #24, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 49 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC is $22,415 for great lakes region conservation students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UC
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 107 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also took the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,619 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
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%. 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 Indiana University - Bloomington
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