2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Vermont

[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resources & conservation schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Vermont
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 Vermont tops our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in Vermont. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $26,871. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Vermont earned it the #2 place for natural resources & conservation. Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Montpelier. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Community College Of Vermont generally make around $34,182. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Vermont Technical College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $39,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Middlebury College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Saint Michaels College, which ranked #5. Saint Michaels College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Colchester. Students from in state pay about $51,450 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Saint Michaels College earn a median of $33,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.