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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

70 Ranked Colleges
4,366 Degrees Awarded
$8,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor's 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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 30,341 people earned their degree in natural resources and conservation, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,196 and had an average of $25,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 6,355 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,049 and $23,759 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,366 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 70 colleges that offered a degree in natural resources and conservation. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural resources and 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 and 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s 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 44 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $-1,314 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

The low student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Duke

#2

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 149 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $4,069 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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%.

Full UF Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 141 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $6,063 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#4

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $9,629 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Emory

#5

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida
#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of West Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. The University of West Florida is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

UWF also took the #25 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $3,912 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at The University of West Florida

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 161 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,816 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, 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 more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Florida State University

#7

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

North Carolina State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 212 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

NC State also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $9,887 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 students.

Full NC State Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#14 in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 131 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa also took the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,616 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USF Tampa.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#9

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school awarded 76 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $11,696 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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.

Full University of Virginia Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#10

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. St Petersburg College is a large school located in Clearwater, Florida that handed out 26 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend St Petersburg College is $3,182 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SPC Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#11

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#6 in overall quality

American Public University System ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 311 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $10,917 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at American Military University

#12

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $6,295 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Northern Kentucky University

With a ranking of #13, Florida International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend FIU is $6,683 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Florida International University

#14

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia
#20 in overall quality

University of North Georgia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dahlonega, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

UNG not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNG is $8,707 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UNG

#15

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Marshall University is $6,741 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Marshall University

#16

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. McNeese is a medium-sized public school situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It awarded 8 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,492 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend McNeese.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at McNeese

With a ranking of #17, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ABAC Tifton is a small school located in Tifton, Georgia that handed out 23 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ABAC Tifton is $5,563 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at ABAC Tifton

#18

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fort Myers, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 115 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,748 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FGCU.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Florida Gulf Coast University

#19

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

Virginia Tech came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 222 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,010 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#20

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#18 in overall quality

University of Georgia came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 89 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $10,241 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 students.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UGA

#21

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 104 degrees to qualified bachelors’s natural resources and conservation students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $9,884 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, 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 Appalachian State

#22

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $10,486 for southeast region bachelor’s degree natural resources & conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at West Virginia University

#23

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #23, University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Asheville, North Carolina, and it awarded 58 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UNCA is $9,634 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of North Carolina at Asheville Natural Resources & Conservation Report

#24

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized school located in Pembroke, North Carolina that handed out 15 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,668 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

#25

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #25, Shepherd University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 bachelors’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Shepherd University is $8,377 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at Shepherd University

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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

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.

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