2027 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Southeast Region

[Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools.
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2027 Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $20,872. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $23,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Murray State University one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $28,751 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,438. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $19,224 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $25,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Arkansas State University Main Campus one of the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,399. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Florida Keys Community College earned the #6 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Located in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,276, compared with $13,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $13,236. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Florida Keys Community College earn a median of $47,373 early in their careers. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University placed #7 among the best values for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $28,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $25,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $22,354. That is a strong return on a $25,154 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #9 for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $13,673 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $29,936 early in their careers. Set against $13,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #10 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $29,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mississippi State University earned the #11 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management program here. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $30,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #12 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $30,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Clemson University landed the #13 spot for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $23,783. Early-career wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates make about $47,819. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University earned the #14 position for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $28,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #15 for value in wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, wildlife, fish & wildl&s science & management degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $25,563. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.