by our College Data Analytics Team
[Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/water-wetlands-and-marine-resources-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study water, wetlands, & marine resources management affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on 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 water, wetlands, & marine resources management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Green River Community College, our #1 best value for water, wetlands, & marine resources management in the United States. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
A rank of #2 makes Skagit Valley College one of the best values for water, wetlands, & marine resources management. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $14,056. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $21,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $30,818. That is a strong return on a $21,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in water, wetlands, & marine resources management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $22,132. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $40,553. Set against $22,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in water, wetlands, & marine resources management, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $21,792. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $26,657. Early-career water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates make about $46,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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Stony Brook University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $37,701. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University placed #9 among the best values for water, wetlands, & marine resources management. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $34,429 to complete the water, wetlands, & marine resources management program here. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $48,349. That is a strong return on a $34,429 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value water, wetlands, & marine resources management schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $22,843. Early-career water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates make about $43,262. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #11 among the best values for water, wetlands, & marine resources management. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $21,815 to complete the water, wetlands, & marine resources management program here. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $30,362. That is a strong return on a $21,815 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #12 spot for water, wetlands, & marine resources management value 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. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science earned the #13 position for value in water, wetlands, & marine resources management this year. Set in the rural area of Paul Smiths, Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,009. Typical student debt for water, wetlands, & marine resources management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science generally make around $41,863. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Everglades University placed #14 among the best values for water, wetlands, & marine resources management. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,680 in tuition and fees. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $47,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from Everglades University generally make around $41,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Miami landed the #15 spot for water, wetlands, & marine resources management value this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water, wetlands, & marine resources management degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $41,886. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Water, Wetlands, & Marine Resources Management. Browse the parent area of study.
The ranking above is published 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.