2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools
For return on investment in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $13,287. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $39,896 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Front Range Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. 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, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $36,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #3 place for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $26,500. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $31,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $25,000. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $28,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management will find it at Montana State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
