2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Minnesota
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
University Of Minnesota Morris tops our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $45,589. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Crookston earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Lakes College Brainerd earned it the #4 place for natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,249. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,479. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,900. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $38,695. That is a strong return on a $23,900 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,343 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $43,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,343 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,894. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $33,565. That is a strong return on a $26,894 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $38,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Olaf College came in at #9 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $29,921. Set against $24,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College placed #10 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #11 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,756. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from College Of Saint Benedict generally make around $47,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Benedict admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,104. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $29,559 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
