2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Pennsylvania
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value natural resources & conservation schools.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Bucks County Community College, our #1 best value for natural resources & conservation in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $28,263. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $36,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $28,252. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $61,674. Set against $28,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of DuBois, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Students borrow a median of $21,429 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois generally make around $44,079. Set against $21,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $53,183. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $40,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Swarthmore College earned the #8 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $66,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $36,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,125. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $39,068. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Haverford College earned the #11 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,000. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College came in at #14 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,580. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $33,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $64,831. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Temple University earn a median of $31,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,426. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Delaware Valley College landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Doylestown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,966 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Delaware Valley College earn a median of $37,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Chatham University earned the #19 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,001 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,261. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $61,339 early in their careers. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
Ursinus College placed #20 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,061 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $36,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Bryn Mawr College earned the #21 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,920. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,069. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Gettysburg College landed the #22 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $29,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,889 median debt. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
Lafayette College earned the #23 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,931. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $59,513. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,326. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $39,584. That is a strong return on a $25,326 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College came in at #25 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,794. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,888. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $36,536 early in their careers. Set against $22,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural resources & conservation this year:
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
