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2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

25 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 25 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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 $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 237 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $8,697 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Duluth

3

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,427 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa State

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $2,230 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Morris

5

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 $30-$48k list. UMN Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Crookston, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Crookston is $7,808 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Crookston

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,453 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNL Natural Resources & Conservation Report

7

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 75 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,386 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Natural Resources & Conservation Report

8

With a ranking of #8, 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 $30-$48k list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $12,735 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at North Dakota State University

9
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 33 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also took the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $11,138 for plains states 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 0.8% 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 St. Olaf Natural Resources & Conservation Report

10
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,543 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Macalester.

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%. 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Macalester

11
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 74 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $14,846 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at South Dakota State University

12
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at St. Cloud State University

13
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Valley City State University is a small school located in Valley City, North Dakota that handed out 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Valley City State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Valley City State University is $8,570 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Valley City State University

14
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

With a ranking of #14, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Gustavus Adolphus is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 17 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Gustavus Adolphus also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $16,445 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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 88%.

Full Gustavus Adolphus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

15
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 64 ’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 $30-$48k list, Iowa has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full University of Iowa Natural Resources & Conservation Report

16

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UMKC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,751 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMKC

17

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest also took the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $10,608 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

18
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,288 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend KU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, 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 86%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at KU

19
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Bemidji State University is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,377 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.

Full Bemidji State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

20
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Webster is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 37 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Webster did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $20,039 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Webster

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 25 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $11,294 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UNOMAHA

22
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegeville, Minnesota. It awarded 10 ’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 $30-$48k list, SJU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Johns University is $16,058 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 SJU

23

With a ranking of #23, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Natural Resources & Conservation Report

24
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Decorah, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Luther has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Luther is $20,153 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Luther

25

Upper Iowa University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fayette, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UIU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Upper Iowa University is $20,104 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UIU Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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