2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for natural resources & conservation in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $17,616. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $10,846. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $32,996. Set against $10,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,577 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #4 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,171 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $31,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Mid State Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $55,306. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $48,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #8 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $57,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wayne State University placed #9 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Vincennes University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,000. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $32,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Chicago placed #12 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #13 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $45,219. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
Lake Superior State University landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,250. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $34,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #15 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $32,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #16 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,625. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southeastern Illinois College earned the #17 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,763 ten years after entry.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,369. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College earned the #19 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $40,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #20 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $21,507 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $35,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,559. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $43,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Hocking College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,006. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $27,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #23 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,202 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $40,099. Set against $23,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #24 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,163 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $33,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,917. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $54,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% 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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
