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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

25 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
$23,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

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Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 135 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k list, Iowa State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Iowa State

2
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 74 students 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 $18,578 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at South Dakota State

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 138 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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.

Full UNL Natural Resources & Conservation Report

4

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 237 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

5

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

North Dakota State University also took 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 is $16,998 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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 North Dakota State University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

6

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #6 on this year’s Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 18 ’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 more than $110k list, UMKC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UMKC

7
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Iowa Natural Resources & Conservation Report

8

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 52 students 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 $18,505 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

9
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #9, Webster University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $23,248 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Webster.

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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Webster University

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 11 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at St. Cloud State University

11
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #11. Valley City State University is a small public school situated in Valley City, North Dakota. It awarded 11 ’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 more than $110k list, Valley City State University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,676 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Valley City State University.

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

12

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 75 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k list, Mizzou has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,559 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. 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 Mizzou Natural Resources & Conservation Report

13

University of Minnesota - Crookston came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UMN Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k list, UMN Crookston has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston is $11,593 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Full UMN Crookston Natural Resources & Conservation Report

14
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of Kansas

15

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Northwest is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $12,925 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Northwest Missouri State University

16
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Bemidji State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,033 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Bemidji State University

17

University of Minnesota - Morris came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Minnesota - Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Morris is $10,529 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Morris Natural Resources & Conservation Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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 Missouri State

19

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 25 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Full UNOMAHA Natural Resources & Conservation Report

20
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Decorah, Iowa, and it awarded 15 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Luther is $25,538 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Luther

21
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’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 more than $110k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $24,696 for Plains States Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

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

22
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. SJU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegeville, Minnesota. It awarded 10 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

SJU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $25,487 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Saint Johns University.

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 Saint Johns University

23
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

With a ranking of #23, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $24,052 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full St Olaf College Natural Resources & Conservation Report

24
UIU crest
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa

With a ranking of #24, Upper Iowa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UIU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIU is $24,063 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Upper Iowa University

25
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #25. 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 College is $27,764 for plains states region natural resources & conservation students whose families make more than $110k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Macalester Natural Resources & Conservation Report

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