2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California
27
Ranked Colleges
4,046
Degrees Awarded
$17,400
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 30,503 people earned their degree in natural resources & conservation, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, natural resources & 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 California, there were 4,046 natural resources & conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,789 and $19,882 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in natural resources & conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources & conservation programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural resources & conservation program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to 616 students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend UC Berkeley.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Berkeley
Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 101 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 470 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to qualified students.
UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,252 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UCSB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to 370 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $15,768 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students per year to attend UC Davis.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Davis
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for california natural resources & conservation students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at San Diego State University
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 87 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUMB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,597 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students per year to attend CSUMB.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at CSUMB
With a ranking of #7, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 153 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,677 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking, coming in at #8. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for california natural resources & conservation students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UC Irvine Natural Resources & Conservation Report
With a ranking of #9, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for california natural resources & conservation students.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at SFSU
With a ranking of #10, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 66 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $16,542 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend San Jose State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at San Jose State
Humboldt State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 332 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources & conservation students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california natural resources & conservation students.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Humboldt State University
California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 55 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. 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 University of California - Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, CSUSM has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,218 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend CSUSM.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at CSUSM
With a ranking of #15, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 22 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,298 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend Cal State East Bay.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State East Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking, coming in at #16. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, UCR has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for california natural resources & conservation students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UCR
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking, coming in at #17. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,218 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Chico
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking, coming in at #18. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - San Diego
California State University - Sacramento came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 57 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,178 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
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%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Sacramento
With a ranking of #20, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $17,563 for California Natural Resources & Conservation students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Sonoma State University
The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking, coming in at #21. UAGC is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $20,987 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend The University of Arizona Global Campus.
Full The University of Arizona Global Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California list. This small school is located in Monterey, California, and it awarded 27 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
Middlebury Institute not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Middlebury Institute Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of San Francisco landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources & conservation students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, USFCA has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $40,053 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend USFCA.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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 San Francisco Natural Resources & Conservation Report
University of San Diego landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 52 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources & conservation students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california natural resources & conservation students list, USD has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $34,139 for california natural resources & conservation students per year to attend University of San Diego.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at USD
University of Redlands did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Redlands, California, and it awarded 36 ’s natural resources & conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $26,098 for california natural resources & conservation students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Redlands
college factual
(NRCS_Photo_Gallery).jpg){kind=link}