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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in California

26 Ranked Colleges
4,046 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 California, there were 4,046 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,789 and $19,882 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources and conservation. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great natural resources and conservation programs and 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

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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 California For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 616 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $13,423 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Berkeley

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 370 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $14,193 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 93%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Davis

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 101 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $12,644 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

4

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,275 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 470 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $14,583 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSB Natural Resources & Conservation Report

6

University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 83 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSD has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,310 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCSD.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UCSD

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SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 109 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, SDSU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $14,698 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SDSU Natural Resources & Conservation Report

8

University of California - Riverside ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,126 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

9

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $15,567 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

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

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San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 66 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,338 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at San Jose State University

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSUMB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUMB is $14,319 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Monterey Bay

12

California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 55 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,189 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #25 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $12,602 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Sacramento

14

California State University - East Bay ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - East Bay

15
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 332 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $16,716 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Humboldt State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

16

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 153 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $17,340 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Natural Resources & Conservation Report

17
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 73 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,065 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SFSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 San Francisco State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

18

California State University - San Marcos ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,309 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUSM.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSM Natural Resources & Conservation Report

19

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,738 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full Chico State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

20
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oxy is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 32 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Oxy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $18,209 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oxy.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Occidental College Natural Resources & Conservation Report

21
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

With a ranking of #21, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

SSU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend SSU is $17,985 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.

Full Sonoma State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

22
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. SCU is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

SCU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $29,618 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SCU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Santa Clara University

23
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California

University of Redlands ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Redlands, California, and it awarded 36 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Redlands, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $21,947 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Redlands

24
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. USD is located in San Diego, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, USD has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Diego is $28,214 for california natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

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