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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Southeastern Illinois College tops our 2027 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Median earnings reach $33,763 ten years out.
Hocking College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. 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, 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. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned it the #4 place for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & 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.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University came in at #6 for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $28,425. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $27,762. That is a strong return on a $28,425 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.