[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 506 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value natural resources & conservation schools.
Finding the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation School for You
The natural resources & conservation program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for natural resources & conservation in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #3. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $62,270 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,202. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,563 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,766 early in their careers. Set against $16,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $27,677. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
West Valley College landed the #9 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #12 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Utah Valley University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College earned the #16 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #17 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #18 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $5,500. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $10,440. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #20 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento earned the #21 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $22,100 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,308. That is a strong return on a $22,100 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #22 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $38,876. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College earned the #23 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $15,789. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College placed #24 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $36,027 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach came in at #25 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,575. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $33,870. Set against $13,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resources & conservation value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 506 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 506 ranked schools only.
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).
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
