by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value natural resources & conservation schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked College Of The Ozarks the best value for a degree in natural resources & conservation in Missouri. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Missouri Western State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $32,199. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,289. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University came in at #6 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $20,210. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $39,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,210 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #8 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University earned the #10 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $81,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.