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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

25 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
$19,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 the Plains States region, there were 1,809 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,184 and $23,681 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources and conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources and conservation programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 135 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $17,806 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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 Iowa State University

2

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 237 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $18,938 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Natural Resources & Conservation Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Crookston, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,750 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston.

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

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UNL also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $19,553 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

5
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #5 spot on the list. South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $20,393 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full South Dakota State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

6

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Minnesota - Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,107 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

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

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

7

With a ranking of #7, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 42 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $17,909 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

8

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. UMN Morris is a small public school situated in Morris, Minnesota. It awarded 12 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $14,448 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Morris

9

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,956 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Mizzou.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Mizzou

10

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 18 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $18,700 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UMKC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UMKC

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 64 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,719 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k 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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Iowa

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

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $17,440 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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

Valley City State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Valley City, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, Valley City State University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $12,696 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Valley City State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

14
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Webster is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, Webster has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster is $24,708 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Webster University

15

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest also took the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $14,894 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Northwest Natural Resources & Conservation Report

16
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #16, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 59 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $22,804 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Kansas Natural Resources & Conservation Report

17
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 48 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bemidji State University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,078 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Bemidji State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Bemidji State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

18
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. St Olaf College is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 33 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also took the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Olaf College is $21,334 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Olaf Natural Resources & Conservation Report

19
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Saint Peter, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $25,710 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

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 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Gustavus Adolphus College

20

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also took the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $17,624 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Full UNOMAHA Natural Resources & Conservation Report

21

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $17,994 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Missouri State University - Springfield

22
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Macalester is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 19 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, Macalester has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester is $23,609 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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 Macalester

23
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Decorah, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

Luther also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Luther College is $26,789 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Luther College

24
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

With a ranking of #24, Saint Johns University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. SJU is a small school located in Collegeville, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

SJU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Johns University is $25,639 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Johns University

25

With a ranking of #25, Upper Iowa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Upper Iowa University is a small school located in Fayette, Iowa that handed out 14 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UIU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $24,642 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Upper Iowa University.

Full Upper Iowa University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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