[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife management students.
Finding the Best Value Wildlife Management School for You
Where you study wildlife management affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Wildlife Management Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Wildlife Management Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value wildlife management schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,872 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $23,715. That is a strong return on a $20,872 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Ozarks earned it the #2 place for wildlife management. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #3 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Wildlife Management graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $39,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $16,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife management 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 strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #5 place for wildlife management. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $28,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
American Public University System landed the #6 spot for wildlife management value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $23,438. Wildlife Management graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for wildlife management value this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $17,029. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #9 for value in wildlife management this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $19,224 in student loans. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $25,492. That is a strong return on a $19,224 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Front Range Community College landed the #11 spot for wildlife management value this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $36,860. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Illinois College came in at #13 for value in wildlife management this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $33,763 ten years out.
Humboldt State University earned the #14 position for value in wildlife management this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $26,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in wildlife management this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $48,847. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Keys Community College landed the #16 spot for wildlife management value this year. Set in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,276 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Florida Keys Community College generally make around $47,373. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #17 spot for wildlife management value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $28,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Missouri Western State University came in at #18 for value in wildlife management this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $24,362. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $32,199. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
Hocking College landed the #19 spot for wildlife management value this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $26,914. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
University Of California Davis ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife management schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $29,896. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #21 for value in wildlife management this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,866 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $20,295. That is a strong return on a $19,866 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #22 position for value in wildlife management this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $25,154 in student loans. Wildlife Management graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $22,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #23 spot for wildlife management value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $20,000. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $32,402. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #24 spot for wildlife management value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $13,673 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $29,936. Set against $13,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #25 among the best values for wildlife management. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $27,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for wildlife management this year:
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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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).
[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
