2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Southeast Region
[Natural Resource Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/natural-resource-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resource management students.
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2027 Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resource management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Southern Regional Technical College the best value for a degree in natural resource management in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #2 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $34,017 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $38,766. Set against $34,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Arkansas Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resource management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt.
Ogeechee Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $11,894. Natural Resource Management graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #6 for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $33,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Carolina University earned the #7 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $21,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $36,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $21,792. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #9 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $47,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #10 position for value in natural resource management this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the natural resource management program here. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $59,622. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Glenville State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Located in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $11,354. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of Glenville State College earn a median of $42,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #12 position for value in natural resource management this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Early-career natural resource management graduates make about $32,516. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value natural resource management schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the natural resource management program here. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $71,291. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Everglades University landed the #15 spot for natural resource management value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,680. Typical student debt for natural resource management graduates is $47,000. Soon after graduation, natural resource management degree recipients from Everglades University generally make around $41,859. Set against $47,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Miami came in at #16 for value in natural resource management this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Natural Resource Management graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Natural Resource Management graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $41,886 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
