Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Natural Resources & Conservation

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
425 Degrees Awarded
$25,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master's in California 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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 California, there were 4,073 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,215 and $22,557 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 425 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources and conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources and conservation programs, but they also 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 and 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.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in California

#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 Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 79 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’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 Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

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

#12 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Fullerton

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 12 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Irvine

#4

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 74 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Riverside landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 2 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Riverside Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Davis

#13 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSB has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936.

Full CSUSB Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#8

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#9 in overall quality

San Jose State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

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 Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at San Jose State

#9

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#11 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#10

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Southern California

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUMB also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUMB are $18,081, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at CSUMB

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Chico ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 3 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Chico State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802.

Full California State University - Chico Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#14

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#10 in overall quality

Humboldt State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Humboldt State University

#15

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. USD is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $28,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of San Diego

#16

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#5 in overall quality

University of San Francisco ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 31 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Francisco are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at USFCA

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