2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools.
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2026 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College, our #1 best value for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $17,029. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Valley City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $25,500. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $44,253. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $36,758. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bemidji State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $22,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $35,806. Set against $22,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,937. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $26,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,937 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $24,798. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $39,483. That is a strong return on a $24,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 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.
