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2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

47 Ranked Colleges
4,014 Degrees Awarded
$8,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Natural Resources Conservation is the 49th most popular major in the country with 22,254 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, natural resources conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,963 and had an average of $23,098 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 4,014 natural resources conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,947 and $22,649 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 47 colleges that offer a degree in natural resources conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources conservation programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the natural resources conservation program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Natural Resources Conservation Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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 Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 174 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke University is $371 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.

Full Duke University Natural Resources Conservation Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 154 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Natural Resources Conservation Report

3
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Carolina State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 208 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students 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 Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at NC State

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 155 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $4,950 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 95%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Florida State University

5
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,476 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia.

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 Natural Resources Conservation at University of Virginia - Main Campus

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UF also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $65 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Florida Natural Resources Conservation Report

7
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #7, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 21 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,303 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Georgia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 more about Natural Resources Conservation at UGA

8

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 142 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $4,176 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at USF Tampa

9
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #9, American Public University System did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 334 students in 2020-2021.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for American Military University is $9,660 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at American Military University

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 67 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,934 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Virginia Tech Natural Resources Conservation Report

10
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $8,538 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Emory

12

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 22 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $11,318 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

13
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,354 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Appalachian State Natural Resources Conservation Report

14

The University of West Florida ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,288 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UWF.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UWF

15

Florida International University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $3,196 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at FIU

16

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 64 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FGCU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,762 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.

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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at FGCU

17
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNG is a fairly large public school situated in Dahlonega, Georgia. It awarded 16 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNG has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Georgia is $7,943 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of North Georgia

18

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Wilmington, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.

UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,710 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

19

University of North Carolina at Asheville ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Asheville is located in Asheville, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UNCA is $8,677 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at University of North Carolina at Asheville

20

University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 47 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofSC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UofSC is $12,130 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Natural Resources Conservation Report

21
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k list, UK has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $12,593 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UK

22
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #22, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WVU is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 32 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WVU is $10,014 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at WVU

23

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $8,625 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

24
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mississippi State is a large school located in Mississippi State, Mississippi that handed out 12 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State is $13,025 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Mississippi State University

25
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Clemson University is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 35 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Clemson is $13,744 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Clemson Natural Resources Conservation Report

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