Cheapest Historic Preservation and Conservation Colleges

Historic preservation programs reveal striking cost differences, with Salish Kootenai College offering the field's most affordable option at $9,002 net price compared to Savannah College of Art and Design at $45,450. Montana's tribal college provides an unexpected entry point into a field where the National Park Service employs thousands of preservation specialists across 400 sites nationwide. Public universities dominate the lower cost tiers, with seven of the eight most affordable programs coming from state institutions. Graduates typically earn between $26,933 and $30,228, making program cost a critical factor in career planning. The University of Delaware stands out with nearly 79% graduation rates while maintaining relatively low costs at $16,931 net price.

Programs

$9,002 – $45,450

Net Price Range

$28,581

Avg. Program Earnings

61.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Historic Preservation and Conservation Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Salish Kootenai College Pablo, Montana	$9,002	$4,311	35.2%
2	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532	$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
3	Delaware State University Dover, Delaware	$15,745	$10,314	38.7%	54.9%
4	University of Delaware Newark, Delaware	$16,931	$16,080	78.8%	73.8%
5	Ursuline College Pepper Pike, Ohio	$18,027	$37,860	53.2%	85.1%
6	College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina	$19,518	$12,978	65.0%	75.7%
7	University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, Virginia	$21,108	$14,559	67.4%	85.8%
8	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
9	Salve Regina University Newport, Rhode Island	$35,682	$47,930	74.9%	69.5%
10	Roger Williams University Bristol, Rhode Island	$38,123	$42,666	66.6%	91.0%
11	Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, Georgia	$45,450	$40,595	70.5%	81.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Salish Kootenai College so affordable for historic preservation?

The tribal college charges just $4,311 for in-state tuition with a $9,002 net price after aid. Montana residents and tribal members receive significant cost advantages, though the program maintains a 35% graduation rate.

How do public and private program costs compare?

Public programs average around $18,000 in net costs while private institutions reach $40,000 or more. The gap widens further when comparing in-state tuition, with public options like Southeast Missouri State at $9,496 versus private colleges exceeding $40,000.

Is earning potential worth the investment in expensive programs?

Graduate earnings range narrowly from $26,933 to $30,228 across all programs. High-cost private schools like Savannah College of Art and Design at $45,450 net price may not justify the expense given similar salary outcomes.

Where do the highest graduation rates occur?

The University of Delaware leads with 78.8% graduation rates at $16,931 net cost. Temple University follows at 74.7% with $29,219 costs, while Salve Regina University reaches 74.9% but costs $35,682 annually.

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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.