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2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

47 Ranked Colleges
4,014 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 22,254 people earned their degree in natural resources conservation, making the major the 49th most popular in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 47 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in natural resources conservation. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural resources conservation programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural resources conservation 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 174 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $7,160 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Duke

2
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the #2 spot on the list. American Military University is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 334 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

American Military University also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American Military University is $13,536 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full American Military University Natural Resources Conservation Report

3

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 #3 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,619 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Natural Resources Conservation Report

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 155 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $11,506 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.

Full Florida State Natural Resources Conservation Report

5
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 #5 for the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 208 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $14,424 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 North Carolina State University

6
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 141 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,019 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Virginia.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Natural Resources Conservation Report

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $8,394 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UF

8

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 142 diplomas to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $9,669 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full USF Tampa Natural Resources Conservation Report

9

The University of West Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UWF is a fairly large public school situated in Pensacola, Florida. It awarded 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of West Florida is $7,301 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UWF

10
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 21 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $15,037 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Georgia.

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

Full University of Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Report

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 67 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $18,372 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

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%. 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 Virginia Tech

12

Florida International University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $7,292 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida International University Natural Resources Conservation Report

13
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNG is a public institution located in Dahlonega, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNG also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend University of North Georgia is $11,005 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at University of North Georgia

14
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $13,769 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Full Appalachian State Natural Resources Conservation Report

15
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #15, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 37 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory also made our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $16,646 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at Emory

16

With a ranking of #16, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 64 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

FGCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,133 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend FGCU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida Gulf Coast University Natural Resources Conservation Report

17

University of North Carolina at Asheville ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for UNCA is $12,644 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UNCA

18

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s conservation students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $19,623 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Louisiana State University

19
Columbia Southern University crest
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama

With a ranking of #19, Columbia Southern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large school located in Orange Beach, Alabama that handed out 106 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia Southern University is $11,752 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Columbia Southern University Natural Resources Conservation Report

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UK is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,708 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UK.

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%. 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 University of Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Report

21
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #21, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s conservation degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $13,077 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at WVU

22
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, and it awarded 12 ’s conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mississippi State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State is $18,449 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

23

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 ’s conservation degrees to qualified students.

UNCW also took the #12 spot in our “Best Natural Resources Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNCW is $19,195 for Southeast Region Conservation 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%.

Full University of North Carolina at Wilmington Natural Resources Conservation Report

24

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $15,283 for southeast region conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Natural Resources Conservation at UT Chattanooga

25
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Shepherd University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Shepherd University is a public institution located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Shepherd University is $11,116 for Southeast Region Conservation students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Natural Resources Conservation at Shepherd University

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