2026 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools in the Far Western Region
[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong wildlife management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife management students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Wildlife Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildlife Management Schools
University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #1 spot for value among wildlife management schools in the Far Western Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. 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.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at Humboldt State University, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $26,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. 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. Wildlife Management graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $29,896 early in their careers. Set against $15,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nevada Reno one of the best values for wildlife management. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $21,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $33,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $24,043. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $51,000. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Narrow Wildlife Management Schools by State
More Wildlife Management Rankings
View All Wildlife Management Rankings >
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
