2026 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Natural Resources Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resources-conservation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resources conservation schools.
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2026 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resources conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools
Leading the list is Kirkwood Community College, our #1 best value for natural resources conservation in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned it the #2 place for natural resources conservation. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Students borrow a median of $21,380 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $37,453 early in their careers. Set against $21,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #4 place for natural resources conservation. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,639 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $32,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #6 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $24,250. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $42,978. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #7 spot for natural resources conservation value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $19,282. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $34,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,282 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $39,195. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #9 spot for natural resources conservation value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $23,322. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $44,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #10 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iowa State University placed #11 among the best values for natural resources conservation. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $22,227 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $37,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,227 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
South Dakota State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $33,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $25,260. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #15 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $20,210 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $39,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources conservation schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #17 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $30,822. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. That is a strong return on a $30,822 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #18 among the best values for natural resources conservation. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $35,650. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Olaf College placed #19 among the best values for natural resources conservation. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,455 in student loans. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $29,921. Set against $24,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Upper Iowa University earned the #20 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,251 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $34,347. Set against $22,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Luther College came in at #21 for value in natural resources conservation this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $26,967. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $19,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Webster University landed the #22 spot for natural resources conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $81,807. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #23 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Natural Resources Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career natural resources conservation graduates make about $38,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for natural resources conservation. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for natural resources conservation graduates is $26,586. Natural Resources Conservation graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College earned the #25 position for value in natural resources conservation this year. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the natural resources conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources conservation degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Set against $17,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Natural Resources Conservation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural resources conservation this year:
Narrow Natural Resources Conservation Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
