2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Michigan

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

For return on investment in natural resources & conservation, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Dearborn earned it the #2 place for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

3

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,171 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $31,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,171 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,577 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,256. Set against $16,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

5

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,250. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $34,729. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.

6

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

7

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #7 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $45,771. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.

8

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #8 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $28,430. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,500. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $35,656. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,158 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $32,118. That is a strong return on a $24,158 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.

11

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,404 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $26,350. That is a strong return on a $24,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

12

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,981. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $21,919 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

13

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,646 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $42,760. Set against $25,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College placed #14 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Alma College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alma. Students from in state pay about $49,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,248 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,740. Set against $27,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

15

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College placed #15 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.