2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among natural resources & conservation schools in the Far Western Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Valley College earned it the #2 place for natural resources & conservation. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Reedley College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $7,234. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $62,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Monica College earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Shasta College landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,275. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #10 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Citrus College landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Butte College placed #13 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,302. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Sierra College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College earned the #17 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for value in natural resources & conservation 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #19 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,575 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Alaska Southeast came in at #20 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $20,458. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alaska Southeast admits about 63% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento landed the #21 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos earned the #22 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #23 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $35,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Skagit Valley College landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
University Of California San Diego ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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:
Narrow Natural Resources & Conservation Schools by State
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 · 190 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
