2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
43
Ranked Colleges
3,064
Degrees Awarded
$8,200
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Natural Resources Conservation is the 49th most popular major in the country with 22,254 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, natural resources conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,963 and had an average of $23,098 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,064 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,465 and $23,360 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources conservation programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural resources conservation program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Natural Resources Conservation Schools
The conservation school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 310 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $2,670 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at U-M
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 444 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UW - Madison
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 107 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full IU Bloomington Natural Resources Conservation Report
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Purdue University - Main Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 87 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Natural Resources Conservation Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 158 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,068 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Natural Resources Conservation Report
Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
Michigan State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Michigan State University
Ball State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Ball State University
Oberlin College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Oberlin, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
Oberlin also took the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $8,756 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Oberlin
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
UW - River Falls also took the #19 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $8,438 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UW - River Falls
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 61 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Green Bay also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $8,258 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UW - Green Bay
Michigan Technological University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized public school situated in Houghton, Michigan. It awarded 10 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Technological University is $5,520 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Michigan Tech
University of Michigan - Dearborn came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UM Dearborn is a medium-sized public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 19 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn is $9,113 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UM Dearborn
Northern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.
Northern Michigan University also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $8,958 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Northern Michigan University Natural Resources Conservation Report
Vincennes University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Vincennes University is a fairly large public school situated in Vincennes, Indiana. It awarded 31 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Vincennes University is $9,228 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Vincennes University Natural Resources Conservation Report
Oakland University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 23 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,949 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Oakland
Grand Valley State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.
GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $10,259 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Grand Valley State University
University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 27 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIS is $10,831 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Springfield Natural Resources Conservation Report
Central Michigan University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,805 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Michigan.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Central Michigan
With a ranking of #20, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Miami University - Oxford
Youngstown State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Youngstown State University
University of Michigan - Flint came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 13 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UM Flint is $7,797 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UM Flint
University of Wisconsin - Stout ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Stout is a medium-sized school located in Menomonie, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stout is $10,074 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UW - Stout Natural Resources Conservation Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $8,143 for Great Lakes Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Natural Resources Conservation Report
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $11,973 for great lakes region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UWM
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