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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

47 Ranked Colleges
4,014 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 $30-$48k” 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the natural resources conservation program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 174 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $-927 for southeast region conservation 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, 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%. 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 more about Natural Resources Conservation at Duke

2

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 154 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,729 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at UNC Chapel Hill

3
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 #3 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 155 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,349 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Natural Resources Conservation at Florida State University

4
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

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 Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 208 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

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. It costs about $9,448 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NC State.

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%. 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

5
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Emory University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,976 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 Natural Resources Conservation at Emory University

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $2,857 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Florida

7

With a ranking of #7, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,632 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Natural Resources Conservation Report

8
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of Virginia

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 $30-$48k 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 also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $10,885 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at American Public University System

10

The University of West Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 37 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,827 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UWF.

Full The University of West Florida Natural Resources Conservation Report

11
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $10,688 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UGA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UGA

12
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 67 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,003 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Virginia Tech

13

With a ranking of #13, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida International University is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 28 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Florida International University

14
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,940 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

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%. 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

15

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Myers, Florida. It awarded 64 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

FGCU also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $7,969 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.

Full FGCU Natural Resources Conservation Report

16
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Dahlonega, Georgia, and it awarded 16 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNG, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNG is $8,654 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

17

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 22 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Louisiana State University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $15,403 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 Natural Resources Conservation at Louisiana State University

18

University of North Carolina at Asheville came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Asheville, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,130 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Full UNCA Natural Resources Conservation Report

19
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WVU is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for West Virginia University is $10,250 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at West Virginia University

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

UK also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend UK is $13,424 for Southeast Region Conservation 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UK Natural Resources Conservation Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 111 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCW also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $14,643 for southeast region conservation 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UNCW

22
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mississippi State is a large public school situated in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It awarded 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. It costs about $13,553 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mississippi State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Mississippi State Natural Resources Conservation Report

23

With a ranking of #23, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 58 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,059 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Chattanooga.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Natural Resources Conservation Report

24
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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 35 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Clemson University is $16,650 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Clemson University

25
Columbia Southern University crest
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama

Columbia Southern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Orange Beach, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 106 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,957 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia Southern University.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Columbia Southern University

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