by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) 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 196 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resource management schools.
What’s on this page:
The right natural resource management school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resource management degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in natural resource management, no school beat California State University Bakersfield this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Mountain College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot this year. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Regional Technical College earned it the #3 place for natural resource management. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for natural resource management. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $34,017 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $38,766 early in their careers. Set against $34,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ogeechee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $11,894. Natural Resource Management graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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American Public University System placed #6 among the best values for natural resource management. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #7 spot for natural resource management value this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $45,589. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #8 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
East Central University earned the #9 position for value in natural resource management this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $42,103. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Skagit Valley College came in at #10 for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
Green River Community College came in at #11 for value in natural resource management this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #12 among the best values for natural resource management. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,730. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $30,818. Set against $21,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #13 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $20,283. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Angelo State University landed the #14 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Western Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,962. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $36,846. That is a strong return on a $21,962 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #16 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $33,543. That is a strong return on a $22,748 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #17 position for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $25,000. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $47,232. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #18 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $18,127 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Set against $18,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #19 for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $22,132 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. Set against $22,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for natural resource management value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,792. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Hocking College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $27,817. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #22 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $19,835. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $35,117. Set against $19,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #23 position for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #24 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $37,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #25 for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $42,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in natural resource management:
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Natural Resource Management is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published 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 · 196 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
