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2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

20 Ranked Colleges
497 Degrees Awarded
$28,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes 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. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Natural Resources & Conservation is the 26th most popular major in the country with 30,341 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 497 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources and conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources and conservation programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UChicago

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 64 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#4

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Indiana University - Bloomington

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 26 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#8 in overall quality

Michigan Technological University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Houghton, Michigan, and it awarded 15 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’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 Michigan Technological University are $21,996.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Michigan Technological University

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 15 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’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 Purdue are $28,794.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Purdue University - Main Campus

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#5 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’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 Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#10

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Green Bay, Wisconsin
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 18 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Green Bay also took the #11 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay are $19,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#11

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 11 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stevens Point, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’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 UW - Stevens Point are $19,178.

Full UW - Stevens Point Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#15 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 4 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UM Dearborn, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UM Dearborn are $25,072, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UM Dearborn

#13

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Ball State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Ball State

#14

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UWM is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UWM

#15

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’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 University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Illinois at Springfield

#14 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 14 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#10 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 10 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Miami University - Oxford

#18

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#18 in overall quality

Cleveland State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 11 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cleveland State University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cleveland State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#19 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 8 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OHIO Athens, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full OHIO Athens Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

DePaul also took the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at DePaul

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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.

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