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2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $75-$110k) in the Southeast Region

47 Ranked Colleges
6,524 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Natural Resources & Conservation is the 25th most popular major in the country with 30,503 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, natural resources and conservation graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,158 and had an average of $23,267 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 6,524 natural resources and conservation graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,501 and $23,211 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 47 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural resources and conservation program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $75-$110k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Duke is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 195 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $18,113 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Duke.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. 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 Natural Resources & Conservation Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 287 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $12,874 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UF.

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%. 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 UF

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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 154 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #3 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,088 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UNC 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 155 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State 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 Florida State is $15,203 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Florida State

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 Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 333 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, NC State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $19,833 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at North Carolina State University

6
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 165 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $17,630 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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 94%.

Read more about Natural Resources & Conservation at UGA

7

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. 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 natural resources and conservation degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,349 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend USF Tampa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, 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 92%.

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

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

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and 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 $22,021 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Natural Resources & Conservation Report

9
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. West Virginia University is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 168 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $16,324 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full West Virginia University Natural Resources & Conservation Report

10

The University of West Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 37 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,870 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UWF

11
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Mississippi State is a public institution located in Mississippi State, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 152 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $20,432 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Mississippi State University.

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

12
Columbia Southern University crest
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama

Columbia Southern University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia Southern University is $13,035 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Columbia Southern University

13

With a ranking of #13, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. ABAC Tifton is a public institution located in Tifton, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend ABAC Tifton is $11,023 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full ABAC Tifton Natural Resources & Conservation Report

14
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 401 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $23,999 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

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

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Virginia Tech

15

Florida International University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural resources and conservation degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $12,817 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

16
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 123 degrees to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $18,770 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 3.6% 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 Appalachian State

17
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 37 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, Emory has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $24,104 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full Emory Natural Resources & Conservation Report

18

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FGCU is $15,630 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

19

University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. 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 yearly cost to attend UNCA is $16,151 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UNCA

20
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Clemson University is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 113 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson also made our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson is $23,993 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. 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 full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at Clemson University

21
ATU crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas

With a ranking of #21, Arkansas Tech University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Arkansas Tech University is a public institution located in Russellville, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Arkansas Tech University is $14,283 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at ATU

22

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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.

It costs about $17,188 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UT Chattanooga.

Full UT Chattanooga Natural Resources & Conservation Report

23

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UofSC is a large school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 47 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k list, UofSC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UofSC is $22,517 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full UofSC Natural Resources & Conservation Report

24
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UK is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 51 ’s natural resources and conservation degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #22 spot in our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $20,959 for Southeast Region Natural Resources & Conservation students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UK.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Natural Resources & Conservation at UK

25

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 120 diplomas to qualified ’s natural resources and conservation students in 2020-2021.

UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $22,872 for southeast region natural resources & conservation students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

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