2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Missouri
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 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 Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural resources & conservation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among natural resources & conservation schools in Missouri. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Missouri State University earned it the #2 place for natural resources & conservation. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,937. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $26,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $20,210. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $39,291. Set against $20,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University landed the #6 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $25,939. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $81,807. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $26,586. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
More Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
