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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 196 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resource management schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resource management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is California State University Bakersfield, our #1 best value for natural resource management in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $34,017 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $38,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in natural resource management will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $21,730 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $30,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Angelo State University earned it the #5 place for natural resource management. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,237. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
1
2
3
4
5
Western Carolina University earned the #6 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $21,962 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $36,846. Set against $21,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $22,748 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $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 came in at #8 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $47,232. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #9 for value in natural resource management 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $22,132. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $40,553. Set against $22,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #10 for value in natural resource management this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $19,835 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $20,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,835 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #11 position for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $37,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #12 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $57,280. Set against $20,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #13 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $27,000. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $40,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Glenville State College earned the #15 position for value in natural resource management this year. Glenville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, compared with $11,354 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $42,490. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for natural resource management value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Morrisville State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Morrisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $19,245 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $12,000. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $41,207. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for natural resource management. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,019. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The University Of Montana landed the #19 spot for natural resource management value this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. 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 management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #21 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $51,260. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cobleskill. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill generally make around $31,793. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry placed #23 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island placed #24 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $44,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #25 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,755. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $48,967. That is a strong return on a $21,755 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resource management value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Explore the best-value natural resource management schools at other degree levels:
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 · 196 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
