2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
25
Ranked Colleges
1,809
Degrees Awarded
$12,300
Avg Net Price*
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Natural Resources & Conservation is the 25th most popular major in the country with 30,503 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Plains States region, there were 1,809 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,184 and $23,681 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 237 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 undergraduate students.
Full UMN Twin Cities Natural Resources & Conservation Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Duluth
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 135 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states 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 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Macalester College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Macalester College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Macalester also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $13,926 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Macalester College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Crookston also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston is $5,893 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Minnesota - Crookston Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Natural Resources & Conservation Report
With a ranking of #7, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
UMN Morris did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $3,941 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Minnesota - Morris Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Missouri - Columbia
With a ranking of #9, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for Plains States 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%.
Full North Dakota State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $14,171 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at South Dakota State
University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 64 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,554 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa
St Olaf College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,112 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Olaf.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at St Olaf College
Valley City State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Valley City State University is located in Valley City, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
Valley City State University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,877 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valley City State University.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Valley City State University
Saint Cloud State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,348 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 37 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster is $18,047 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Webster
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for plains states 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%.
Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of Kansas landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full KU Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 17 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,735 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Gustavus Adolphus College
Bemidji State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
Bemidji State University also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $10,178 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bemidji State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Bemidji State University
With a ranking of #20, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwest has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,906 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.
Full Northwest Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 25 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,578 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UNOMAHA
Saint Johns University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Johns University is located in Collegeville, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
SJU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Johns University is $15,314 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Johns University
With a ranking of #23, Luther College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Luther is a small school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $21,838 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Luther.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Luther College Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $12,381 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Missouri State
Upper Iowa University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 14 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UIU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend UIU is $25,363 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Upper Iowa University
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