[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 427 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resources & conservation students.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among natural resources & conservation schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,694. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #6 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,563 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $28,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,478. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,100. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $37,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #10 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $38,876. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $33,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos earned the #12 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $37,364. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,044. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $33,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,044 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,840 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $36,048. That is a strong return on a $18,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $39,896. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grays Harbor College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, compared with $12,553 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,524 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Grays Harbor College earn a median of $46,018 early in their careers. Set against $12,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida placed #18 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $19,709 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $33,700. That is a strong return on a $19,709 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College placed #19 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $34,017 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $38,766 early in their careers. Set against $34,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #20 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #21 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,900 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $36,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University came in at #22 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,176. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego placed #23 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $37,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #24 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,184 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $35,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #25 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $31,944. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in natural resources & conservation:
This list is compiled 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 · 427 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 427 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
