2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k
24
Ranked Colleges
1,473
Degrees Awarded
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 $48-$75k” 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 $48-$75k” 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $7,160 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Full Duke Environmental Studies Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.
UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $11,619 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 UNC Chapel Hill
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $16,019 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Environmental Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $14,424 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full NC State Environmental Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech also took the #6 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $18,372 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Virginia Tech
With a ranking of #6, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 28 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
FIU also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $7,292 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Environmental Studies at FIU
University of North Georgia landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dahlonega, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
UNG did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Georgia is $11,005 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Environmental Studies at UNG
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 $48-$75k list. Appalachian State University is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 97 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Appalachian State also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $13,769 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Appalachian State University.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Appalachian State University
Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Emory also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $16,646 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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. 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.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Emory University
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. FGCU 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FGCU is $11,133 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University
University of North Carolina at Asheville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNCA is a public institution located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNCA also took the #17 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNCA is $12,644 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full UNCA Environmental Studies Report
Columbia Southern University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia Southern University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,752 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Columbia Southern University.
Full Columbia Southern University Environmental Studies Report
University of Kentucky ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 17 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,708 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UK.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full UK Environmental Studies Report
Shepherd University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Shepherd University is a small public school situated in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. It awarded 13 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Shepherd University also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $11,116 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Shepherd University.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Shepherd University
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 25 degrees to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, UofSC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia is $20,325 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at UofSC
With a ranking of #16, Tennessee Technological University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 12 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tennessee Tech University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee Tech University is $17,588 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Tennessee Tech University
University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNCW is a fairly large school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 12 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UNCW also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,195 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at UNCW
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 75 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
VCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $18,553 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Virginia Commonwealth University Environmental Studies Report
With a ranking of #19, Roanoke College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Roanoke College is located in Salem, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
Roanoke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $23,983 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Roanoke College.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Roanoke College
College of Charleston did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. College of Charleston is a fairly large school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 28 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
C of C also took the #21 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $20,142 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend C of C.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at C of C
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 $48-$75k ranking. Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
Tulane did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tulane is $25,322 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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. 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 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Tulane University of Louisiana
Warren Wilson College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Warren Wilson is located in Swannanoa, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Warren Wilson has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Warren Wilson College is $22,525 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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.
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 $48-$75k list. Located in Winter Park, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
Rollins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rollins is $27,552 for Southeast Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, 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 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Rollins College
Eckerd College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Eckerd College is located in Saint Petersburg, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
Eckerd did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Eckerd is $32,895 for southeast region ecosystem studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full Eckerd Environmental Studies Report
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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.