2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
42
Ranked Colleges
4,118
Degrees Awarded
$10,100
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #1 spot on the list. 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 made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $5,670 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Natural Resources & Conservation Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UW - Madison Natural Resources & Conservation Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Natural Resources & Conservation Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 124 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
Purdue also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,853 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full Purdue University - Main Campus 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 #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 87 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $8,036 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UIUC Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 235 ’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 $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Michigan Technological University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Technological University is $8,983 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Michigan Technological University
Ball State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 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 yearly cost to attend Ball State is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State University
With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 295 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stevens Point, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UW - Stevens Point
With a ranking of #10, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 27 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,482 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIS.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Illinois at Springfield
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay 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 $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and 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 $9,445 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full UW - Green Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Oberlin College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oberlin College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oberlin, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Oberlin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oberlin College is $13,745 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. 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.
Full Oberlin Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls 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 $30-$48k ranking. UW - 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.
In addition to being on our great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,478 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Oakland is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 23 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $8,839 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Michigan - Dearborn landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UM Dearborn is a medium-sized public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 19 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,465 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.
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 Michigan - Dearborn Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Vincennes University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Vincennes, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,531 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vincennes University.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Vincennes University
With a ranking of #17, Denison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Granville, Ohio, and it awarded 23 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Denison also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $14,686 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Denison University.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Denison University
Michigan State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 196 students in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $15,170 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Michigan State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Grand Valley State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $11,026 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Grand Valley State University
Central Michigan University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
Central Michigan also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Central Michigan University
University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Stout is $10,958 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - Stout Natural Resources & Conservation Report
With a ranking of #22, Lake Superior State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sault Ste Marie, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Lake Superior State University is $9,967 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Lake Superior State University
Northern Michigan University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Marquette, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $10,573 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Northern Michigan University
Northland College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Ashland, Wisconsin, and it awarded 39 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Northland also took the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northland College is $16,375 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Northland College
With a ranking of #25, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UW - Whitewater
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