2027 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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.
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2027 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, balancing cost against outcomes.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $16,449. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #2 makes Southwest Texas Junior College one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $25,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University Kingsville one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #4 place for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $19,866 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $20,295. Set against $19,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $20,000. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $32,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Tech University earned the #6 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. 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. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tarleton State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
