by our College Data Analytics Team
[Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Haywood Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools in the United States. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Front Range Community College one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. 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. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $19,677. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $36,860. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Alaska Fairbanks one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,439. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. 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. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Texas Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #5 spot this year. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & 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 came in at #6 for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $12,500. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & 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.
Florida Keys Community College came in at #7 for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Florida Keys Community College is a small public school located in the town of Key West. Students from in state pay about $3,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,162. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Florida Keys Community College generally make around $47,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Finger Lakes Community College placed #8 among the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $16,736. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Located in the town of DuBois, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.