Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Natural Resources & Conservation

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

32 Ranked Colleges
1,353 Degrees Awarded
$30,595 Avg Salary
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 the Plains States region, there were 1,830 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,070 and $31,094 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,353 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 32 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 22 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,832 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WUSTL.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Washington University in St Louis Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 170 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,556 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Twin Cities

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,558 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Morris Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Crookston landed the #4 spot on the list. UMN Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Crookston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Crookston is $8,680 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Crookston

#5

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Valley City State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Valley City, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valley City State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Valley City State University is $11,840 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Valley City State University

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,161 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa State University

#7

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 17 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $13,373 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Saint Cloud State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 36 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $12,438 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Duluth

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also took the #17 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $13,833 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UNOMAHA

#7 in overall quality

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 84 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNL has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $16,197 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low 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%.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#11

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

St Olaf College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. St Olaf College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 23 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $17,577 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at St Olaf College

#11 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,451 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#13

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Macalester College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Macalester is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Macalester also took the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $20,102 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Macalester

#24 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,145 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 89%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Mizzou

#12 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $15,686 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#16

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, Missouri

Missouri Western State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Missouri Western State University is a public institution located in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Western State University is $11,336 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Missouri Western State University

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $11,988 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Northwest Missouri State University

#18

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 72 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $19,326 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at South Dakota State University

#19

Saint Johns University

Collegeville, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

Saint Johns University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegeville, Minnesota. It awarded 12 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, SJU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SJU is $19,017 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Johns University

#20

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $12,882 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Southeast Missouri State University

#21

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#20 in overall quality

Kansas State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 47 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

K -State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $16,889 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Kansas State University

#22

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

University of Iowa ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 68 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,272 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa

#25 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,204 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State.

Full Missouri State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#24

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $14,571 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#25

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,548 for plains states region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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