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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in Colorado

2 Colleges in the United States
$20,788 Avg Student Debt
$54,289 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Badge [Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resource management students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in Colorado

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

Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools

1
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for natural resource management in Colorado. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Northwestern Community College earned it the #2 place for natural resource management. Set in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,127 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $27,484. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for natural resource management. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $43,262. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

5

University Of Denver came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $69,861. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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