5 Natural Resources colleges in Tennessee with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $53,805.
Top Natural Resources graduates on this list earn over $64,911—and these schools actually serve the students who need them most. With mobility scores at the 60th percentile or above, these 5 programs deliver both access and results.
The University Of The South leads the rankings, producing Natural Resources graduates earning $64,911 while maintaining an 82nd percentile mobility score. The University Of Tennessee-Knoxville follows at $60,249 with an exceptional 96th percentile mobility rating, proving schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes.
The University Of Tennessee-Chattanooga serves 33% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $51,151. Across these programs, graduates average 29% first-generation status, yet debt burdens remain manageable with most schools landing in the 'Good' to 'Manageable' affordability categories.
Earnings: $64,911 | Mobility: 82nd percentile
34% Pell students with $44,213 earnings
10.2% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
19.6% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The University Of The SouthPrivate | $64,911 | $22,855 | Good | $56,450 | High | 82th percentile mobility |
| #2 | $60,249 | $20,500 | Manageable | $30,610 | High | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #3 | $51,151 | $19,500 | Manageable | $17,353 | High | 85th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | $48,501 | $15,650 | Good | $11,640 | Challenging | 89th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | $44,213 | $21,024 | Manageable | $13,218 | High | 72th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
