2026 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Leading the list is Hocking College, our #1 best value for wildlife management in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $12,500. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $26,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for wildlife management. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,556 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $27,273. Set against $25,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

3

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #3. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for wildlife management. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,425 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $27,762. That is a strong return on a $28,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

6

Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University placed #6 among the best values for wildlife management. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $25,850 in student loans. Wildlife Management graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $19,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.