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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

25 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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 Plains States region, there were 1,809 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,184 and $23,681 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

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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 in the Plains States 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 237 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 135 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $14,641 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 52 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $13,364 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth Natural Resources & Conservation Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Crookston, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Crookston also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $9,084 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMN Crookston.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Crookston

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $6,691 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UMN Morris

6

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,715 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national 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 Mizzou

7

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $15,394 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UNL

8

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 42 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,071 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 North Dakota State University

9
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $13,140 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

10
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #10, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 74 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,826 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

11

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UMKC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,768 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UMKC

12
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $18,586 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend KU.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at KU

13
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Gustavus Adolphus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Gustavus Adolphus College

14
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Webster University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Webster also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $22,524 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Webster.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Webster University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,026 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

16

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $12,127 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Northwest

17
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Valley City, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

Valley City State University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $11,105 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Valley City State University

18
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St Olaf College is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 33 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for St Olaf College is $15,453 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full St Olaf College Natural Resources & Conservation Report

19
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 48 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Bemidji State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,520 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bemidji State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Bemidji State University

20
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $15,953 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Macalester College Natural Resources & Conservation Report

21

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,574 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 UNOMAHA

22
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Luther College is located in Decorah, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Luther also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Luther is $23,262 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Luther College

23
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Collegeville, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

SJU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SJU is $19,658 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Saint Johns University

24

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 34 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,950 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Missouri State University - Springfield

25
UIU crest
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 14 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UIU also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $22,508 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UIU

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