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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

44 Ranked Colleges
6,327 Degrees Awarded
$9,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 30,503 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,158 and had an average of $23,267 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 6,327 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,301 and $21,829 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 44 colleges that offer a degree 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

1

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 616 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $8,450 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Berkeley

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 245 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $5,194 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 101 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Los Angeles

4

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #4 spot on the list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 370 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Davis.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Davis Natural Resources & Conservation Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 470 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $10,568 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UCSB

6

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 56 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of California - Irvine

7
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #7, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 109 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $7,169 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Diego State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at SDSU

8
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

With a ranking of #8, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 262 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WWU is $9,979 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Western Washington University

9

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 83 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $9,823 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 94%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UCSD

10

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 227 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,038 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UC Santa Cruz

11
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #11, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 26 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wazzu has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $7,689 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full Washington State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 44 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $6,810 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCR Natural Resources & Conservation Report

13
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #13, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $12,158 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Jose State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

14

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,192 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Monterey Bay.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at CSUMB

15

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 21 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,985 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California State University - San Bernardino

16

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 153 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

17
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Oregon State is a large public school situated in Corvallis, Oregon. It awarded 611 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Oregon State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $15,242 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oregon State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Oregon State University

18

California State University - Long Beach ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 55 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at CSULB

19
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 98 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UO has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Oregon is $13,666 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Oregon

20

California State University - Sacramento came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $8,163 for Far Western US Region Natural Resources & 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Sac State

21

California State University - East Bay ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 22 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State East Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Southern Oregon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized school located in Ashland, Oregon that handed out 40 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,068 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Oregon University.

Full Southern Oregon University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

23

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school handed out 89 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Reno is $11,795 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Nevada - Reno

24
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $10,705 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at San Francisco State University

25
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 332 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,473 for far western us region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Humboldt State University.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Humboldt State University

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