2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools

1

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

Leading the list is American Public University System, our #1 best value for natural resource management in the United States. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $42,103. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.

3

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $19,835. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $49,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,835 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

4

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #4 place for natural resource management. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

5

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. 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 $49,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #6 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,524. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

7

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #7 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $37,701. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.

8

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island earned the #8 position for value in natural resource management this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University earned the #9 position for value in natural resource management this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $34,429. Natural Resource Management graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $57,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

10

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

11

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #11 spot for natural resource management value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the natural resource management program here. Natural Resource Management 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #12 for value in natural resource management this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,815 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $30,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

13

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong placed #13 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,742. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $55,793. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

14

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut came in at #14 for value in natural resource management this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,637. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

15

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #15 for value in natural resource management this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $23,393. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $71,291. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

16

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver earned the #16 position for value in natural resource management this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $22,534. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $69,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #17 among the best values for natural resource management. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $41,886. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.