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2022 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income Over $110k) in the Southwest Region

22 Ranked Colleges
2,575 Degrees Awarded
$22,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking.

Natural Resources & Conservation is the 26th most popular major in the country with 30,341 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,196 and had an average of $25,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 2,575 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,417 and $24,287 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources and conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources and conservation programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

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

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income Over $110k) 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 Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $4,514 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 150 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona also took the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $12,944 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UOPX - Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It awarded 42 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,659 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend NMSU Main Campus.

Full NMSU Main Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Tempe. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ASU - Tempe is $11,706 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at ASU - Tempe

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas Tech University is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 75 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $17,571 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Texas Tech University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Texas Tech Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#6

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 18 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,838 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UH.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UH

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 27 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Clear Lake, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,612 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UH Clear Lake.

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

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k list, OSU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,648 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at OSU

#9

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #9, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,016 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Arizona.

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

Full University of Arizona Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#10

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $15,230 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Texas State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#11

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M College Station is $19,057 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas A&M University - College Station

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 65 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,853 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UTSA

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #13. The University of Texas at Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Arlington is $14,246 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UT Arlington

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. SFASU is a fairly large school located in Nacogdoches, Texas that handed out 71 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $13,723 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at SFASU

#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #15, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. NAU is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 257 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $12,915 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend NAU.

Full NAU Natural Resources & Conservation Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Texas A&M Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M Commerce also took the #20 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Commerce is $13,017 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 64 students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $21,145 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Oklahoma

#17

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 85 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

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. It costs about $13,971 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend ASU - Skysong.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#18

New Mexico Highlands University

Las Vegas, New Mexico

With a ranking of #18, New Mexico Highlands University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

New Mexico Highlands University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for New Mexico Highlands University is $9,661 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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

#19

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Stephenville, Texas, and it awarded 63 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton is $18,979 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Tarleton

#20

Southwestern University

Georgetown, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Southwestern University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k list, Southwestern has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern University is $25,470 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive 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 Southwestern

#21

Saint Edward's University

Austin, Texas

Saint Edward’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. Austin, Texas 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 16 students in 2019-2020.

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. It costs about $24,833 for southwest region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Saint Edward’s University.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at St. Edward’s University

#22

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 38 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Baylor is $36,039 for Southwest Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Baylor University

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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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