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2026 Best Value Wildlife Management Master’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,808 Avg Student Debt
$60,840 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Wildlife Management Master's Degree Badge [Wildlife Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 97 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife management students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Wildlife Management Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in wildlife management, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Wildlife Management Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in wildlife management, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $20,872. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $23,715. That is a strong return on a $20,872 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the wildlife management program here. Wildlife Management graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #3 place for wildlife management. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Wildlife Management graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $29,470. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

4
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi State University earned it the #4 place for wildlife management. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $30,247. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oregon State University earned it the #5 place for wildlife management. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for wildlife management graduates is $24,043. Wildlife Management graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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6

Texas Tech University came in at #6 for value in wildlife management this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the wildlife management program here. Early-career wildlife management graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

7
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #7 among the best values for wildlife management. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the wildlife management program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife management degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $47,819. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.

Other Wildlife Management Degree Levels

Explore the best-value wildlife management schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Wildlife Management
Associate's Degrees in Wildlife Management
Bachelor's Degrees in Wildlife Management
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View All Wildlife Management Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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