2027 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for wildlife management students.
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2027 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Leading the list is Southeastern Illinois College, our #1 best value for wildlife management in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,763 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hocking College earned it the #2 place for wildlife management. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Wildlife Management graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $26,914 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $25,800. Wildlife Management graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for wildlife management. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Wildlife Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Students borrow a median of $25,850 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $19,801. Set against $25,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #7 among the best values for wildlife management. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Wildlife Management graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $27,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.