2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 34 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 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
The University Of Texas Pan American tops our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Tulsa Community College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $15,789. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,449 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $33,603. Set against $16,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $31,207 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southwest Texas Junior College earned the #6 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $7,157. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $25,528. That is a strong return on a $7,157 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $26,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #9 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #10 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,632. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $67,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,694 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,241 early in their careers. Set against $21,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #13 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $44,087. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $44,590. That is a strong return on a $44,087 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #14 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. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,795 median debt.
University Of Houston earned the #15 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #16 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,479 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $47,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. 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 $39,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,826 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Angelo State University placed #18 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,237. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #19 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,057. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #20 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #21 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,523. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $37,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,523 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $41,368. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #23 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $30,645. Set against $22,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $35,385. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 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
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
