2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the New England Region
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 103 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural resources & conservation schools.
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2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in natural resources & conservation in the New England Region. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $72,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Williams College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Holyoke Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #4. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $59,271. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #6 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #7 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $45,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $35,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Vermont earned the #9 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Montpelier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920, while out-of-state students pay about $13,640. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Community College Of Vermont generally make around $34,182. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
Westfield State University came in at #10 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,913 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $35,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,913 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Maine came in at #11 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $24,228 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $42,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,228 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $21,386. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $41,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Unity College earned the #13 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. In-state tuition and fees average $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $42,334. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Rhode Island placed #14 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,102. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $48,601. Set against $24,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Keene State College landed the #15 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $23,360 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $36,423. Set against $23,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #16 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,692. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $26,899. Set against $22,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #17 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $50,876. Set against $24,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $26,871. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #19 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $41,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University came in at #20 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $31,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College came in at #21 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $11,075. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $37,724. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Vermont Technical College earned the #22 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $24,208. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $39,997 early in their careers. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $26,959 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $44,505. Set against $26,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Colby College earned the #24 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,600 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $19,313 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $28,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Middlebury College earned the #25 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,600. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $13,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s natural resources & conservation value ranking:
Narrow Natural Resources & Conservation Schools by State
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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 · 103 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
