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Best Value Natural Resources Conservation and Research Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology delivers the lowest net cost at $13,766 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research students in Pennsylvania, creating an unusual pricing gap in a field where most programs exceed $20,000 annually. While Bucknell University graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $48,041, students pay nearly three times more in net costs at $40,429. Pennsylvania's environmental sector benefits from major pharmaceutical companies and healthcare systems like UPMC that require conservation specialists for regulatory compliance and sustainability initiatives. Public universities Kutztown and Shippensburg offer middle-ground options with net costs around $21,000-$23,000 and graduate earnings near $40,000. The state's 20 programs show a wide acceptance rate range from Villanova's selective 23% to Kutztown's open 96%, giving students multiple pathways into conservation careers. Graduation rates vary significantly from 42% at Albright College to 92% at Villanova University, reflecting different institutional approaches to student success in this specialized field.
50
Programs
$9,837 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$35,766
Avg. Program Earnings
67.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Natural Resources Conservation and Research Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $21,205 $39,214 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
2 $23,553 $40,068 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
3 $21,664 $33,993 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
4 $21,900 $28,816 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
5 $40,429 $48,041 $64,772 86.2% 32.6%
6 $38,428 $44,170 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
7 $29,219 $32,255 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
8 $27,663 $30,409 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
9 $30,086 $31,305 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
10 $44,876 $43,798 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
11 $39,061 $36,848 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
12 $30,485 $27,439 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
13 $32,191 $28,598 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
14 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
15 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
16 $13,766 $23,900 43.4% 84.3%
17 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
18 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
19 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
20 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
21 $30,314 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
22 $29,843 $52,000 71.1% 67.0%
23 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
24 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
25 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
26 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
27 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
28 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
29 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
30 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
31 $27,700 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
32 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
33 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
34 $28,329 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
35 $40,690 $62,560 85.6% 30.8%
36 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
37 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
38 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
39 $29,944 $39,410 56.1% 98.2%
40 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
41 $27,243 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
42 $34,978 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
43 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
44 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
45 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
46 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
47 $21,461 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
48 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
49 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
50 $32,496 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Harrisburg University such a cost-effective option for conservation students?

Harrisburg University charges just $13,766 in net costs, nearly $7,000 less than the next cheapest option at Millersville University. The school maintains an 84% acceptance rate while focusing on science and technology applications. However, students should note the 43% graduation rate when weighing this significant cost advantage against completion outcomes.

How do public universities compare to private colleges for conservation programs?

Pennsylvania's public universities like Kutztown ($21,205 net cost) and Shippensburg ($23,553 net cost) offer substantial savings compared to private colleges. Kutztown graduates earn $39,214 annually, matching many private school outcomes at half the cost. Public schools also show higher acceptance rates, with Kutztown at 96% and Millersville at 92%.

Does higher tuition correlate with better career earnings in this field?

Not necessarily. Bucknell University's $40,429 net cost produces the highest earnings at $48,041, but Kutztown University achieves nearly identical results at $39,214 with half the cost. Drexel University charges $38,428 but graduates earn $44,170, showing that expensive programs don't guarantee proportional salary returns.

Where do conservation graduates find employment opportunities in Pennsylvania?

Major employers include pharmaceutical companies requiring environmental compliance specialists and healthcare systems like UPMC that need sustainability coordinators. Comcast and other tech companies also hire conservation professionals for corporate environmental programs. The state's varied industrial base creates demand across multiple sectors, with starting salaries ranging from $27,439 to $48,041.

Is there a significant difference in graduation rates between expensive and affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary more by institutional type than cost. Villanova University leads at 92% with high costs, while Bucknell achieves 86% graduation rates. However, affordable Kutztown University maintains a solid 54% rate, and expensive Albright College struggles at 42%. The correlation between price and completion success remains inconsistent across Pennsylvania programs.

More Natural Resources Conservation and Research Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.