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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Far Western US Region

28 Ranked Colleges
759 Degrees Awarded
$24,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 30,341 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,196 and had an average of $25,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 6,337 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,390 and $23,671 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 759 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources and conservation. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great natural resources and conservation programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation in the Far Western US Region

#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Alaska Fairbanks. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. UAF is a medium-sized public school situated in Fairbanks, Alaska. It awarded 16 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UAF also took the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alaska Fairbanks are $24,287, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UAF Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#2

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#3

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. Washington State University is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Wazzu

#4

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oregon State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 111 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students list, Oregon State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State University are $28,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Oregon State

#5

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Washington University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. WWU is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

WWU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Washington University are $24,105, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WWU Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#7

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#17 in overall quality

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #7. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 41 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Humboldt State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 74 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students list, UCSB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#9

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#7 in overall quality

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #9. USFCA is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 31 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of San Francisco

#10

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#22 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at CSUSB

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#1 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Berkeley

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 20 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Davis Natural Resources & Conservation Report

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 7 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - Monterey Bay

#20 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. University of Nevada - Reno is a large public school situated in Reno, Nevada. It awarded 7 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Nevada - Reno

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 19 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fullerton Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Irvine Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#17

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

University of San Diego ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. USD is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students list, USD has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Diego are $28,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of San Diego

#25 in overall quality

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students list, Chico State has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Chico State

#19

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Central Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. CWU is a public institution located in Ellensburg, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students list, CWU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CWU are $24,976, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at CWU

#20

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

University of Oregon did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UO, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UO

#24 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Hilo landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. UH Hilo is located in Hilo, Hawaii and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UH Hilo also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Hilo are $27,062, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Hawaii at Hilo Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#22

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#23 in overall quality

Portland State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Portland, Oregon, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Portland State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Portland State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#23

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#15 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #23. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UH Manoa

#24

The Evergreen State College

Olympia, Washington

The Evergreen State College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Olympia, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The Evergreen State College are $21,167, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at The Evergreen State College

#25

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

Southern Oregon University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Ashland, Oregon, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Oregon University are $23,445.

Full Southern Oregon University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.

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