2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.
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2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
For return on investment in natural resources & conservation, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for natural resources & conservation. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,694. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,449. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $33,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $42,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,100. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $41,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southwest Texas Junior College placed #6 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $7,157. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Southwest Texas Junior College earn a median of $25,528 early in their careers. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,819. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $31,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #8 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $26,931. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Angelo State University landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,728. That is a strong return on a $22,479 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,866 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $20,295 early in their careers. Set against $19,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Houston earned the #13 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $44,087. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,590. Set against $44,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #15 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Students from in state pay about $8,469 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $57,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University came in at #16 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,694 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,694 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #17 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $67,876. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #18 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,483. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $30,645. Set against $22,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #19 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $27,523 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,497. That is a strong return on a $27,523 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,826 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $39,828 early in their careers. Set against $22,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #22 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $35,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #24 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,125. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,057. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in natural resources & conservation:
Narrow Natural Resources & Conservation Schools by State
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
