10 schools that offer top-notch environmental degrees for under 10K

You can get an eco-degree without breaking the bank.

Wed, Mar 10 2010 at 2:00 PM EST

Photo: harrykeely

Where can you get a green degree without breaking the bank? Here are 10 great colleges and universities that offer solid environmental degree programs for under $10,000:

Arizona State University: Located in Tempe, Ariz., ASU offers a good honors college with in-state tuition running about $6,000, and out-of-state tuition close to $18,500. Eco-majors include conservation biology and ecological stability, ecology and evolution, Earth and space exploration, and wildlife and restoration ecology.
Brigham Young University: You don't have to be a Mormon to attend BYU and it's a good deal when it comes to private school value. In addition to their environmental majors of conservation biology, wildlife and wildlands conservation, and Earth and space sciences education, many students also take advantage of BYU's excellent international studies program. Tuition for church members is about $4,500 per year and twice that for non-LDS students.
College of the Ozarks: Whether you're from in state or out, this Missouri school charges $0 for tuition. But there is a good reason that it is known as "Hard Work U." Every student who attends is expected to work for 15 hours a week in an on-campus work program, and receive a scholarship. It would be well worth it to graduate with a major in conservation and wildlife management completely debt-free!
Iowa State University: Iowa State offers a solid educational value with in-state tuition close to $6,000, and out-of-state tuition around $17,000. ISU offers several eco-degree programs such as natural resource ecology and management, ecology, evolution, and organismal biology, environmental science and environmental studies.
Hunter College: Hunter College is part of the City University of New York system, offering a good education in the heart of New York City. You can get an environmental studies degree here for about $5,000 for in-state students and $10,000 if you live out of state.
James Madison University: JMU is just a stone's throw away from where I live in the rural Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They have several green majors including environmental studies and environmental science and the school's proximity to Washington, D.C., makes it ideal for those interested in civil service, international studies and nonprofit work. In-state residents pay about $7,000 for tuition, and out-of-state students pay $18,500.
Texas A&M University: Tuition at "Aggie U" runs about $8,000 for residents and about $22,000 for out-of-state students. The school offers majors in environmental studies, forestry, and renewable natural resources, as well as minors in environmental soil science and parks and natural resources.
University of Colorado at Boulder: I used to live in Boulder, Colo., directly across from this University of Colorado campus, so I can testify to the beautiful mountain vistas and incredible outdoor exercise and adventure opportunities available in the area. The University of Colorado is well-ranked in terms of sponsored research, and offers an eco-major in environmental studies. In-state tuition is in the neighborhood of $8,000, while out-of-state tuition is about $28,000.
University of Oklahoma: In-state tuition at UOO is about $8,000 while out-of-state tuition runs close to $18,000, making this an excellent school to pick up a green degree in environmental science.
University of Utah: Located in Salt Lake City, right in the heart of the Rocky Mountain range, UOU offers lots of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. In-state tuition for an eco-major in environmental studies or earth sciences teaching is close to $4,000 a year, and non-resident tuition is about $9,000.