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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in California (With Aid)

26 Ranked Colleges
4,046 Degrees Awarded
$18,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 30,503 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,158 and had an average of $23,267 in loans still to pay off.

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

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

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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 California For Those Getting Aid” 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 California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in California (With Aid)

1

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #1 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 616 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students with aid list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Berkeley

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 370 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Davis

3

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,023 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

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

4

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 470 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UCSB

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $12,209 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Irvine

6
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 109 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

7

University of California - San Diego ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 83 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $15,240 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego Natural Resources & Conservation Report

8
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #8, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students with aid list, San Jose State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full San Jose State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

9

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 44 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

10

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,930 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

11

California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students with aid list, CSUMB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Monterey Bay

12

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 55 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,054 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend CSULB.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Long Beach

13

California State University - East Bay came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - East Bay

14

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 57 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,178 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend Sac State.

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 Sac State

15
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 332 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students with aid list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,956 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend Humboldt State University.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Humboldt State University

16
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,459 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend SFSU.

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%.

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

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSM Natural Resources & Conservation Report

18

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 39 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

19

With a ranking of #19, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 153 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, 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 94%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

20
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

With a ranking of #20, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SSU is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

SSU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sonoma State University is $17,563 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at SSU

21

22
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California

With a ranking of #22, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Redlands, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Redlands, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Redlands is $26,098 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

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

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Redlands

23
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of San Diego is a medium-sized school located in San Diego, California that handed out 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

USD also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend USD is $34,139 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of San Diego

24
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

Oxy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Occidental College is $34,032 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Oxy

25
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #25, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $40,053 for california natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend University of San Francisco.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at USFCA

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