2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1206 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resources & conservation students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in natural resources & conservation in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. 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. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for natural resources & conservation. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,677. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Florida came in at #7 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,563. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $28,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 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. Students borrow a median of $13,575 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $33,870. That is a strong return on a $13,575 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $16,449 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $33,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #13 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 68%.
St Petersburg College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $34,017 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #15 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,287. 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%.
California State University San Marcos placed #16 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,424. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $37,364. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #17 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,100 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,840 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $36,048. That is a strong return on a $18,840 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $37,214. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #21 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,184 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $35,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
California State University East Bay earned the #22 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.
Florida International University landed the #23 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $36,007 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,709. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $33,700. Set against $19,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #25 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% 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:
Other Natural Resources & Conservation Degree Levels
Explore the best-value natural resources & conservation schools at other degree levels:
View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1206 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 235 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
