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2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

42 Ranked Colleges
4,118 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 312 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $10,481 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, 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 96%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

2

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 491 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students 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 $10,364 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, 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 95%.

Full UW - Madison Natural Resources & Conservation Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 107 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $12,369 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IU Bloomington.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Natural Resources & Conservation Report

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 124 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

5

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 235 students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $13,273 for Great Lakes Region 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 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Ohio State

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,505 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UIUC.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UIUC

7

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 295 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,560 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Full UW - Stevens Point Natural Resources & Conservation Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Michigan Technological University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Michigan Tech is a public institution located in Houghton, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,794 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan Technological University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Michigan Tech Natural Resources & Conservation Report

9

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $13,258 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

10

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,492 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UIS.

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 University of Illinois at Springfield

11
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students 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 estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $15,158 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

12

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Michigan - 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 $12,398 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k 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

13
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #13, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $12,008 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Oakland

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $14,528 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UW - River Falls

15
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, Indiana

Vincennes University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Vincennes University is a public institution located in Vincennes, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Vincennes University is $13,047 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Vincennes University

16

Grand Valley State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 60 students 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. It costs about $15,277 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GVSU.

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 GVSU

17
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also took the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,720 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Central Michigan.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Central Michigan University

18

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,499 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

19
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 196 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,557 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Michigan State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

20
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Lake Superior State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, this small public school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,850 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lake Superior State University.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Lake Superior State University

21

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 27 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,226 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UW - Whitewater

22
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,017 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northern Michigan University.

Full Northern Michigan University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

23
Hocking Technical College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, Ohio

Hocking College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Hocking Technical College is a small public school situated in Nelsonville, Ohio. It awarded 101 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Hocking College is $15,428 for great lakes region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Hocking College

24

University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Menomonie, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,247 for great lakes region 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UW - Stout

25
Northland crest
Northland College
Ashland, Wisconsin

Northland College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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. It costs about $18,705 for Great Lakes Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northland College.

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.

Full Northland Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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