by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Resources Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resources-conservation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources conservation education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resources conservation students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #1 spot for value among natural resources conservation schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #2 place for natural resources conservation. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $41,382. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for natural resources conservation. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $53,183. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for natural resources conservation. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,477. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College landed the #7 spot for natural resources conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,887 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $38,980 early in their careers. Set against $26,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.
Delaware Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Delaware Valley College generally make around $39,903. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College landed the #9 spot for natural resources conservation value this year. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,580. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $33,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #10 among the best values for natural resources conservation. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $31,817. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Muhlenberg College earned the #11 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $35,641. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muhlenberg College admits about 72% of applicants.
Gettysburg College placed #12 among the best values for natural resources conservation. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $29,428. That is a strong return on a $24,889 median debt. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
Ursinus College earned the #13 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,061. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Ursinus College generally make around $36,805. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $16,155. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $64,831. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson College came in at #15 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,650 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $18,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $27,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lafayette College came in at #16 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $16,931. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $59,513. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #18 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Duquesne University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #20 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $28,956 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $30,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College came in at #21 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $70,794. Students borrow a median of $22,888 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $36,536 early in their careers. Set against $22,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Bucknell University came in at #22 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $46,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University earned the #23 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $56,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.