2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Far Western Region
[Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management students.
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2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools
Leading the list is University Of Alaska Fairbanks, our #1 best value for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,439. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Humboldt State University earned it the #2 place for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $26,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #3. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $15,499. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $29,896 early in their careers. Set against $15,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at University Of Nevada Reno, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $21,150 in student loans. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $33,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Oregon State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & 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. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
