2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $62,270. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #3 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $17,075. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

5

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,430. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #7 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

8

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

9

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College landed the #9 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

10

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College landed the #10 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.

11

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #11 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,563 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,909. Set against $16,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

12

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

13

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #13 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

14

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #14 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College came in at #15 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

16

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.

17

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College came in at #17 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

18

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #18 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

19

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College came in at #19 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Coastal Pines Technical College
Waycross, GA

Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #20 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $5,812. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #21 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $33,870. Set against $13,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

22

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College landed the #22 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $9,086. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #24 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

25

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.