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2026 Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Natural Resources Management & Policy](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/natural-resources-management-and-policy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resources management & policy schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the The Plains States Region

2026 Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources management & policy, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools

1

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

$6,525 In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,001 Avg Student Debt

$42,849 Median Earnings (10yr)

Hawkeye Community College earned the #1 spot for value among natural resources management & policy schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources management & policy graduates is $17,001. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

$10,910 In-State Tuition & Fees

$27,000 Avg Student Debt

$62,203 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for natural resources management & policy. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resources Management & Policy graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,971 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.