2023 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
24
Ranked Colleges
1,473
Degrees Awarded
$12,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 9,899 people earned their degree in environmental studies, making the major the 87th most popular in the United States.
Across the Southeast region, there were 1,473 environmental studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in environmental studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great environmental studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the environmental studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Environmental Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $-927 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Duke
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
UNC Chapel Hill also took the #2 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,729 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at UNC Chapel Hill
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #3 spot on the list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
Emory also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $8,976 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory University.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Emory
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Carolina State University is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 19 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $9,448 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at NC State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 35 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of Virginia - Main Campus
Virginia Tech ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 23 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $14,003 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Virginia Tech
Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 28 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, FIU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at FIU
With a ranking of #8, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 97 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $9,940 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Appalachian State Environmental Studies Report
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FGCU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend FGCU is $7,969 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Florida Gulf Coast University Environmental Studies Report
With a ranking of #10, University of North Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Dahlonega, Georgia, and it awarded 15 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UNG not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Georgia is $8,654 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full UNG Environmental Studies Report
University of North Carolina at Asheville landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Asheville, North Carolina, and it awarded 60 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCA, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Asheville is $10,130 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Environmental Studies at UNCA
University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UK is $13,424 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UK Environmental Studies Report
Columbia Southern University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Orange Beach, Alabama. It awarded 106 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia Southern University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia Southern University is $10,957 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Columbia Southern University
Shepherd University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
Shepherd University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Shepherd University is $9,126 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Shepherd University
With a ranking of #15, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
UofSC also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Carolina - Columbia is $16,404 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of South Carolina - Columbia
University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
UNCW also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $14,643 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNCW.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Tennessee Technological University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cookeville, Tennessee. It awarded 12 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Tennessee Tech University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,474 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Tennessee Technological University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Tennessee Tech University
With a ranking of #18, Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. VCU is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
VCU also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for VCU is $15,891 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at VCU
College of Charleston did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. College of Charleston is located in Charleston, South Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
C of C also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $16,208 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of Charleston.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full College of Charleston Environmental Studies Report
Roanoke College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
Roanoke also took the #18 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roanoke is $20,849 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Roanoke
Tulane University of Louisiana came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Orleans, Louisiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
Tulane also took the #10 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tulane University of Louisiana is $13,380 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Tulane Environmental Studies Report
Warren Wilson College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and it awarded 28 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Warren Wilson also took the #24 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Warren Wilson is $23,317 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Warren Wilson Environmental Studies Report
Rollins College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winter Park, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
Rollins also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Rollins is $21,511 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Rollins College
Eckerd College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eckerd College is a small school located in Saint Petersburg, Florida that handed out 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Eckerd not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eckerd College is $26,620 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Eckerd College
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.
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