2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Maine
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
University Of Southern Maine tops our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in Maine. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Colby College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Students borrow a median of $19,313 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Colby College earn a median of $28,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,313 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maine one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $24,228 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $42,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,228 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Unity College earned it the #4 place for natural resources & conservation. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $41,606. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,590. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $9,614. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $38,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bates College admits about 13% of applicants.
University Of New England ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of New England earn a median of $34,434 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
