by our College Data Analytics Team
[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) 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 97 schools to find the best return on investment for wildlife management students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation
Develop a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set to solve complex environmental problems like climate change, alternative energy and sustainability with a specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Haywood Community College earned the #1 spot for value among wildlife management schools in the United States. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $35,767.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at Front Range Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $36,860. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $23,439. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for wildlife management. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Texas Junior College earned it the #5 place for wildlife management. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Hocking College placed #6 among the best values for wildlife management. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $26,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Florida Keys Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,276, with out-of-state students paying around $13,162. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $13,236. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $47,373. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $16,736. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $40,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Located in the town of DuBois, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Explore the best-value wildlife management schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
