by our College Data Analytics Team
[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for wildlife management students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Haywood Community College earned the #1 spot for value among wildlife management schools in the United States. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $35,767.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at Front Range Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $36,860. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $23,439. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for wildlife management. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Texas Junior College earned it the #5 place for wildlife management. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hocking College placed #6 among the best values for wildlife management. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $26,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Florida Keys Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,276, with out-of-state students paying around $13,162. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $13,236. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $47,373. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $16,736. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $40,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the town of DuBois, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Explore the best-value wildlife management schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.