Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Natural Resources & Conservation

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

50 Ranked Colleges
4,848 Degrees Awarded
$8,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Natural Resources & Conservation is the 26th most popular major in the country with 30,341 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,196 and had an average of $25,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 6,337 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,390 and $23,671 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,848 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 50 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in natural resources and conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources and conservation programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 514 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $8,392 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 UC Berkeley Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 75 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $8,553 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UCLA

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 202 students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $7,850 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #4 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 44 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,558 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Irvine

#12 in overall quality

Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Riverside landed the #5 spot on the list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

UCR also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $8,366 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCR.

The low student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 91%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UCR

#15 in overall quality

University of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Alaska Fairbanks is located in Fairbanks, Alaska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UAF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Alaska Fairbanks is $7,133 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Alaska Fairbanks

#24 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

CSUB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $3,423 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Full CSUB Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#8

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#16 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 98 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $8,870 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SDSU Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#9

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 358 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $10,316 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full UCSB Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 371 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $9,842 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Davis

California State University - Long Beach ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,364 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSULB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#10 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 66 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UCSD also took the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,280 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 UCSD

#13

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $9,334 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Wazzu

#14

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 25 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,077 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSB.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full CSUSB Natural Resources & Conservation Report

California State University - Sacramento ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 56 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,819 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#16

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 280 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

WWU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Washington University is $9,743 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive 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 Western Washington University

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $10,940 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at San Jose State University

#18

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Eastern Washington University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. EWU is a public institution located in Cheney, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Washington University is $8,473 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at EWU

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#19 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 246 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $10,872 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UC Santa Cruz Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#20

Occidental College

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

Occidental College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oxy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oxy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oxy is $13,146 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Oxy

#18 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 121 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,475 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 72 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,688 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUMB.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Monterey Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#23

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. UH Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UH Manoa is $10,986 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Hawaii at Manoa

With a ranking of #24, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $8,036 for far western us region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full California State University - East Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#25

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

Southern Oregon University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ashland, Oregon is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,293 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Oregon University.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Southern Oregon University

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