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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

17 Ranked Colleges
363 Degrees Awarded
$21,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Southwest region, there were 2,575 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,417 and $24,287 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 363 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources and conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources and 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 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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 18 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #1 spot on the list. Texas Tech is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 11 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas Tech

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Houston - Clear Lake. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Houston - Clear Lake is a medium-sized public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Clear Lake also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston - Clear Lake are $19,216.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Houston - Clear Lake

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 12 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full OSU Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and it awarded 7 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school awarded 33 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas A&M University - College Station

#6

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#2 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Arizona State University - Tempe

#13 in overall quality

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFASU are $15,695.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at SFASU

#10 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 13 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Arlington, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at The University of Texas at Arlington

#15 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#11

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#6 in overall quality

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 11 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Arizona

#11

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#11 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school awarded 50 degrees to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, ASU - Skysong has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at ASU - Skysong

#12

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Northern Arizona University

#4 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 21 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#14

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Corpus Christi are $15,683, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#15

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Tarleton State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Tarleton is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 3 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also took the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton State University are $15,485, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Tarleton State University

#16

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #16, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Baylor is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 1 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor University are $36,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Baylor University

#17

Saint Edward's University

Austin, Texas

Saint Edward’s University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 1 masters’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Edward’s University also took the #0 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Edward’s University are $29,530.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Edward’s University

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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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