2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resources & conservation schools.
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2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for natural resources & conservation in the Rocky Mountains Region. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $39,896. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Front Range Community College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $36,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $40,142. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Utah State University earned the #6 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $30,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado Northwestern Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,594, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $38,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt.
University Of Idaho placed #9 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,497 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $41,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,497 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Central Wyoming College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Riverton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $11,100. Students borrow a median of $12,820 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Central Wyoming College generally make around $65,164. Set against $12,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,370. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,236. That is a strong return on a $25,370 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Mesa State College placed #12 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,310. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Montana Western placed #13 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,471. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $29,376. Set against $21,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado came in at #15 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,612. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $31,739 early in their careers. Set against $21,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,477. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $22,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #17 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $52,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $20,356 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $28,211 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #19 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,388 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana State University earned the #20 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,040. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $36,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #21 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $44,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado College earned the #22 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $17,372. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of Denver ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Students borrow a median of $25,899 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $69,122 early in their careers. Set against $25,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
