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Cheapest Natural Resources Conservation and Research Colleges in Texas

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Texas offers unusually affordable pathways into Natural Resources Conservation and Research, with net costs spanning from just $5,458 at Texas Southmost College to $20,498 at the upper end. This $15,040 cost difference reflects the state's mix of community colleges, regional universities, and research institutions serving students across varied geographic regions. Rice University stands out as an outlier, charging $58,128 in tuition yet maintaining a $12,640 net cost through substantial financial aid, while achieving a 95.70% graduation rate that far exceeds typical program outcomes. Texas graduates enter a state economy where natural resource management plays a critical role, from managing the 254 counties' varied ecosystems to supporting the energy sector that drives much of the state's economy. Early career earnings range from $28,598 to $52,107, with University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates commanding the highest starting salaries. The state's vast landscapes, from East Texas forests to Gulf Coast wetlands to West Texas rangelands, create varied career opportunities in conservation, research, and resource management across both public agencies and private industry.
36
Programs
$5,458 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$36,077
Avg. Program Earnings
56.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

36 Natural Resources Conservation and Research Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
2 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
3 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
4 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
5 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
6 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
7 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
8 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
9 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
10 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
11 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
12 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
13 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
14 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
15 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
16 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
17 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
18 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
19 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
20 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
21 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
22 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
23 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
24 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
25 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
26 $22,240 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
27 $23,451 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
28 $23,636 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
29 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
30 $25,910 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
31 $27,401 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
32 $27,468 $51,058 69.3% 44.8%
33 $30,092 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
34 $33,531 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
35 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
36 $41,942 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge tuition difference between Rice University at $58,128 and public schools averaging under $12,000?

Rice University operates as a private research institution with extensive endowment resources, allowing them to offer substantial financial aid that brings net costs down to $12,640 despite high sticker prices. Public universities receive state funding that keeps base tuition low, with in-state rates ranging from $3,148 at Texas Southmost to $11,728 at UT Arlington. The 95.70% graduation rate at Rice reflects both selective admissions (8.68% acceptance rate) and intensive student support services. Most Texas public universities maintain acceptance rates above 80%, making natural resources programs accessible to a broader range of students.

How do graduation rates vary across Texas natural resources programs?

Graduation rates span from 26.80% at Texas Southmost College to 95.70% at Rice University, showing dramatic variation based on institutional type and student preparation levels. Community colleges like Texas Southmost often serve as transfer pathways rather than four-year completion destinations, explaining lower graduation statistics. Mid-tier public universities achieve rates between 45-65%, with UT San Antonio reaching 51.20% and University of Houston hitting 64.90%. Private institutions generally outperform public schools, with University of St Thomas achieving 68.60% completion rates alongside a 96.71% acceptance rate.

Is there a connection between program cost and graduate earning potential?

Graduate earnings show no clear correlation with program costs, creating opportunities for smart financial choices in Texas natural resources education. University of Houston-Clear Lake produces the highest-earning graduates at $52,107 annually while maintaining an $11,056 net cost, demonstrating excellent value. Texas A&M Corpus Christi graduates start at $28,598 despite a similar $15,137 net cost to higher-earning programs. Stephen F Austin graduates earn $39,369 with $24,337 in typical debt, while Texas State graduates earn $33,335 with slightly lower $23,200 debt loads.

What makes University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates earn significantly more at $52,107?

Clear Lake's proximity to NASA Johnson Space Center and Houston's energy corridor creates unique internship and job opportunities in environmental consulting, resource analysis, and sustainability planning for major corporations. The university's focus on upper-level and graduate programs means students often enter with prior experience or technical backgrounds. Houston's concentration of energy companies, chemical plants, and environmental consulting firms drives higher demand for natural resources professionals. The $52,107 starting salary reflects both the specialized skill requirements and competitive job market in the greater Houston metropolitan area.

Does acceptance rate indicate program selectivity for natural resources majors specifically?

Acceptance rates reflect overall institutional admissions rather than natural resources program selectivity, but they indicate the academic preparation level of typical students. Rice University's 8.68% acceptance rate means natural resources students compete alongside pre-med and engineering candidates for admission spots. Schools like UT El Paso (99.92% acceptance) and University of St Thomas (96.71% acceptance) welcome most qualified applicants, making natural resources education accessible regardless of high school performance. Texas A&M Commerce (86.45%) and Sam Houston State (84.63%) represent middle-ground options balancing accessibility with academic standards.

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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.