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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 135 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

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%. 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa State University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 237 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Natural Resources & Conservation Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 138 students in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,013 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

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 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

4
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 74 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $18,578 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at South Dakota State

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Duluth

6

University of Minnesota - Crookston landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Crookston, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Crookston not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,593 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston.

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

7

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 75 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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

8
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 64 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa

9

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

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

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at St. Cloud State University

11

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 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 $15,702 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Natural Resources & Conservation Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Minnesota - Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Morris, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,529 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend UMN Morris.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Morris Natural Resources & Conservation Report

13
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

Webster also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $23,248 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend Webster University.

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 Webster University

14
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Valley City State University is a small public school situated in Valley City, North Dakota. It awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Valley City State University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,676 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend Valley City State University.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Valley City State 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 Getting Aid ranking. Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. 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 yearly cost to attend Northwest is $12,925 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Northwest Missouri State University

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 Getting Aid list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,257 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend KU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, 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 86%.

Full University of Kansas Natural Resources & Conservation Report

17
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 48 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Bemidji State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,033 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend Bemidji State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Bemidji State University

18

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 25 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Natural Resources & Conservation Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 34 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $16,718 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend Missouri State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Natural Resources & Conservation Report

20
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

Gustavus Adolphus also took the #17 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $24,696 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Gustavus Adolphus

21
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Decorah, Iowa, and it awarded 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $25,538 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend Luther.

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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Luther

22
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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 made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $24,052 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid per year to attend St Olaf College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at St Olaf College

23

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Fayette, Iowa 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 14 students in 2020-2021.

UIU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Upper Iowa University is $24,063 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UIU

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 Getting Aid list. SJU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegeville, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s 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. It costs about $25,487 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students with aid per year to attend SJU.

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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Johns University

25
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Macalester is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 19 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Macalester, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester is $27,764 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Macalester College

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