2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Kentucky
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 Kentucky
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 Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for natural resources & conservation in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,900 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $36,894. Set against $16,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Kentucky State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $29,774. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $28,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $19,224 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $25,492. That is a strong return on a $19,224 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College came in at #6 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $37,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $34,335. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
