2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Washington
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.
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2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #1 spot for value among natural resources & conservation schools in Washington. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $17,184. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $35,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skagit Valley College earned it the #2 place for natural resources & conservation. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,056. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,184 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $35,867 early in their careers. Set against $17,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Green River Community College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cascadia Community College earned it the #5 place for natural resources & conservation. Located in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,296. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $7,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,184 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $42,759 early in their careers. Set against $17,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,754. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $39,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $56,115. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Central Washington University landed the #9 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University earned the #10 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $20,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $43,680. That is a strong return on a $20,854 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The Evergreen State College came in at #11 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,850. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $26,942. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
Whitworth University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,051. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $47,998. That is a strong return on a $26,051 median debt. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle University came in at #13 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $20,250. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Gonzaga University earned the #14 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $28,763. That is a strong return on a $24,118 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
