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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools.
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.
For return on investment in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, no school beat College Of The Ozarks this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Missouri Western State University one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $24,362. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $32,199. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,937. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $26,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,937 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.