by our College Data Analytics Team
[Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong wildlife management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife management students.
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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.
Leading the list is Hocking College, our #1 best value for wildlife management in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $12,500. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $26,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for wildlife management. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,556 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $27,273. Set against $25,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife management will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #3. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for wildlife management. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife management schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,425 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $27,762. That is a strong return on a $28,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Otterbein University placed #6 among the best values for wildlife management. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $25,850 in student loans. Wildlife Management graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $19,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
