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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Bachelor’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$22,395 Avg Student Debt
$58,431 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Bachelor's Degree Badge [Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/natural-resource-recreation-and-tourism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resource recreation & tourism students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resource recreation & tourism, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Schools

1

University Of Wyoming earned the #1 spot for value among natural resource recreation & tourism schools in the United States. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Early-career natural resource recreation & tourism graduates make about $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource recreation & tourism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $22,132 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $40,553. That is a strong return on a $22,132 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Montana earned it the #3 place for natural resource recreation & tourism. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Early-career natural resource recreation & tourism graduates make about $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado State University Fort Collins earned it the #4 place for natural resource recreation & tourism. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $43,262 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

5
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #5 place for natural resource recreation & tourism. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource recreation & tourism graduates is $21,755. Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $48,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont landed the #6 spot for natural resource recreation & tourism value this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for natural resource recreation & tourism graduates is $22,607. Early-career natural resource recreation & tourism graduates make about $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

7
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #7 among the best values for natural resource recreation & tourism. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the natural resource recreation & tourism program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource recreation & tourism degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

Other Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Degree Levels

Explore the best-value natural resource recreation & tourism schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism
Associate's Degrees in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism
Master's Degrees in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism
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View All Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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