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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in California (With Aid)

16 Ranked Colleges
425 Degrees Awarded
$25,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master's 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 California, there were 4,073 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,215 and $22,557 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 425 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The natural resources & conservation school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in California (With Aid)

#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree natural resources & conservation students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Cal State Fullerton

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 79 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Berkeley Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 12 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Irvine

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Riverside landed the #4 spot on the list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

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

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - San Bernardino. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at CSUSB

#6

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 74 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Full UCSB Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#7

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#9 in overall quality

San Jose State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at San Jose State

#4 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Davis Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 7 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUMB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUMB are $18,081, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Monterey Bay

#10

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#11 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree natural resources & conservation students with aid list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Santa Cruz

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Chico came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#10 in overall quality

Humboldt State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Humboldt State University

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#14

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 22 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Southern California

#15

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

University of San Diego came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Diego are $28,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of San Diego

#16

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#5 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 31 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USFCA Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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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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