2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Leading the list is Hocking College, our #1 best value for natural resource management in the Great Lakes Region. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $27,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,132 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $40,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #3 place for natural resource management. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $26,657. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $46,524. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Students looking for strong value in natural resource management will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,019 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

5

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for natural resource management. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

6

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #6 among the best values for natural resource management. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,755. Natural Resource Management graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $48,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago landed the #7 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.