2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 108 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Hawkeye Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in the The Plains States Region. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $45,589. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,380. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $37,453. Set against $21,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,639. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $32,284. That is a strong return on a $22,639 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #6 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Valley City State University landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,500. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,253. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,343. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $43,253 early in their careers. Set against $23,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #9 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #10 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $19,282 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $34,374 early in their careers. Set against $19,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,971 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Bemidji State University placed #12 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $38,905. Set against $23,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #13 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,361. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $44,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,361 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #14 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,514. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #15 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,995. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $38,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,995 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #16 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,798. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,260. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #18 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,894 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $33,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,894 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #19 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,937. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $26,549. That is a strong return on a $23,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $20,210 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $39,291. Set against $20,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #21 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $30,822 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #23 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $35,650. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,455 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $29,921. That is a strong return on a $24,455 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University landed the #25 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,251. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $34,347. That is a strong return on a $22,251 median debt. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural resources & conservation this year:
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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
