2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management students.
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2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Southwest 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
Leading the list is New Mexico State University Main Campus, our #1 best value for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management in the Southwest Region. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,449 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $33,603. That is a strong return on a $16,449 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Texas Junior College earned it the #2 place for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. That is a strong return on a $7,157 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #3 spot this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,866 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $20,295 early in their careers. Set against $19,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Arizona University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $32,402 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $21,861. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas Tech University placed #8 among the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Tarleton State University earned the #9 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,222. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
