2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Texas
[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 53 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 Texas
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
Austin Community College District tops our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in Texas. 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. 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.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Clear Lake one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,100. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $41,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $31,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University Kingsville one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
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, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $7,157 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $25,528. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $26,931. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #8 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,255. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #10 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,866. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $20,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University placed #12 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #13 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $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%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,523. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #15 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. 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, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,826 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $39,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,515 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $29,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $36,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tarleton State University placed #18 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,500. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #19 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $20,846. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $33,736. Set against $20,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Trinity University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,314 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $57,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Saint Edwards University landed the #21 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,384 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,054. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Lubbock Christian University placed #22 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $28,337 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Lubbock Christian University earn a median of $49,072 early in their careers. Set against $28,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University landed the #23 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,960. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Baylor University landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $31,707 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
