2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
42
Ranked Colleges
4,118
Degrees Awarded
$8,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 30,503 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,158 and had an average of $23,267 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,118 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,801 and $23,385 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 42 colleges that offered a degree 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
The natural resources & conservation school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 312 students in 2020-2021.
U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 U-M
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 491 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 107 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Natural Resources & Conservation Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region 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 undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UIUC Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 196 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Michigan State
Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 124 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Purdue University - Main Campus
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 235 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Ball State University is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 33 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Ball State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 55 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan Tech also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Michigan Tech is $5,520 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Michigan Technological University Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Oberlin College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oberlin College is a small school located in Oberlin, Ohio that handed out 26 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oberlin, 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 Oberlin College is $8,756 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Oberlin College
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 295 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $7,903 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 34 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,438 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - River Falls.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UW - River Falls
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 61 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Green Bay 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 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $8,258 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 19 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $9,113 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UM Dearborn
Vincennes University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vincennes University is a fairly large school located in Vincennes, Indiana that handed out 31 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,228 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vincennes University.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Vincennes University
Grand Valley State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,259 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GVSU.
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 GVSU
Oakland University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 23 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,949 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Oakland University
University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 27 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,831 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIS.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UIS
Northern Michigan University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Marquette, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 66 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $8,958 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Northern Michigan University
With a ranking of #20, Lake Superior State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, this small public school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,159 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Superior State University.
Full Lake Superior State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Miami University - Oxford landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Miami University - Oxford
Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 45 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $10,805 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Central Michigan University
With a ranking of #23, Northland College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northland is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Wisconsin. It awarded 39 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northland has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northland is $16,112 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Northland
University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized public school situated in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It awarded 20 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,074 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Stout
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 66 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,973 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UWM.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
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