2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools to find the best return on investment for natural resources & conservation students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
For return on investment in natural resources & conservation, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reedley College earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College came in at #6 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Shasta College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
California State University Fullerton earned the #8 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $62,270. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Citrus College landed the #9 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #10 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. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Butte College landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College came in at #13 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
American River College earned the #15 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #16 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Bakersfield College earned the #17 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $9,419. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,575 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $33,870 early in their careers. Set against $13,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,100. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,308. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Marcos landed the #21 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $12,424. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $37,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego earned the #22 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $37,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University East Bay ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $38,876. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #24 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,209 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $31,938. Set against $19,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #25 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural resources & conservation this year:
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
