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2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

23 Ranked Colleges
2,575 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 30,341 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. 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 Southwest region, there were 2,575 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,417 and $24,287 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 23 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $6,405 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UT Rio Grande Valley

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

UH Clear Lake also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake is $9,886 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Houston - Clear Lake

#3

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Houston. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 18 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UH has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $12,505 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 416 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $18,810 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Texas A&M College Station.

The low 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Texas A&M College Station Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#5

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas State University landed the #5 spot on the list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 120 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State University is $14,250 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas State

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at San Antonio is $13,827 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UTSA

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 28 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,698 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at OSU

#8

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $17,421 for Southwest Region 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas Tech

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 150 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UOPX - Arizona has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $14,939 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UOPX - Arizona

With a ranking of #10, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NMSU Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Main Campus also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $10,235 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full NMSU Main Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 231 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,033 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Arizona State University - Tempe.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Arizona State University - Tempe

#12

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 159 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $15,399 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Arizona.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. SFASU is a fairly large public school situated in Nacogdoches, Texas. It awarded 71 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFASU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,644 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Stephen F Austin State University.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at SFASU

With a ranking of #14, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Arlington, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Arlington is $14,622 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UT Arlington Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #15, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 257 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NAU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NAU is $12,675 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Northern Arizona University

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Commerce, Texas, and it awarded 44 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M Commerce is $14,033 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas A&M University - Commerce

#17

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

With a ranking of #17, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 85 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Skysong is $15,891 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at ASU - Skysong

#17

New Mexico Highlands University

Las Vegas, New Mexico

New Mexico Highlands University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and it awarded 14 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

New Mexico Highlands University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,625 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend New Mexico Highlands University.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at New Mexico Highlands University

With a ranking of #18, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $21,812 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full University of Oklahoma Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#19

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi is $18,590 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#20

Southwestern University

Georgetown, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Southwestern University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Georgetown, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwestern also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern University is $20,394 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Southwestern University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#21

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stephenville, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Tarleton is $19,542 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Tarleton State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#22

Saint Edward's University

Austin, Texas

Saint Edward’s University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St. Edward’s University is located in Austin, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

St. Edward’s University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Edward’s University is $23,929 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full St. Edward’s University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#23

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Baylor is located in Waco, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Baylor University is $31,343 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Baylor

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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.

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