2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools.
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2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools
For return on investment in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, no school beat Hocking College this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. 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, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $26,914. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $25,556. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $27,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $25,800. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,425 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $27,762. Set against $28,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Otterbein University placed #6 among the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $25,850. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $19,801. Set against $25,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
