Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Natural Resources & Conservation

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

11 Ranked Colleges
85 Degrees Awarded
$30,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 30,341 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,196 and had an average of $25,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,152 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,081 and $25,321 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 85 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 11 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in natural resources and conservation. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great natural resources and conservation programs and 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 and 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The natural resources & 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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 11 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 10 doctorate’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at U-M

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate 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. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified doctorate’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #3 spot on the list. Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Michigan Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan Technological University are $21,996.

Full Michigan Technological University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UIUC

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Full Michigan State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Purdue

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#5 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Ohio State

#9

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State University is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 3 doctorate’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Ball State University

#10

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

UWM also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UWM Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#11

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 4 doctorate’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Central Michigan

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.

Featured Environment / Natural Resources Schools

Find Schools Near You