Top Natural Resources Conservation Programs in the South
Updated
Regional list from Natural Resources Conservation Programs in the United States
This page ranks 73 Natural Resources Conservation programs in the South by median earnings of Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. University of Houston-Clear Lake ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $75,258 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed programs, the figure ranges from $75,258 to $25,194, with a median of $51,265. The gap between the top two programs is $1,823.
Public institutions account for 66% of the list, with 48 public and 25 private nonprofit schools represented. University of Florida posts the lowest average net price at $6,541, while University of Houston ranks 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX | $75,258 | $15,563 | $7,330 | 90.5% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake reports median earnings of $75,258 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, drawn from a cohort of 23. | |||||
| 2 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $73,435 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
| Duke University, a private nonprofit university in Durham, admits 6% of applicants and reports median earnings of $73,435 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $66,178 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| George Washington University posts median earnings of $66,178 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $36,586. | |||||
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $65,337 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% |
| With a cohort of 124 graduates, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports median earnings of $65,337 four years after completing and an average net price of $2,004 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 5 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $64,798 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranks 5th on this list, with median federal debt of $24,125 among Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed and median earnings of $64,798 four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Emory University · Atlanta, GA | $64,795 | $22,585 | $7,363 | 10.7% |
| Emory University reports median federal debt of $23,172 among Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $64,795 four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | American University · Washington, DC | $63,711 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
| American University reports an average net price of $41,943, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earned a median of $63,711 four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Rollins College · Winter Park, FL | $63,363 | $34,732 | $27,177 | 47.5% |
| Graduates across all fields at Rollins College who borrowed left with a median of $25,500 in federal loans, while the school's Natural Resources Conservation graduates earned a median of $63,363 four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $62,683 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| University of Florida reports the lowest average net price on the list at $6,541, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earned a median of $62,683 four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $60,874 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| George Mason University ranks 33rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates report median earnings of $60,874 four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $59,868 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reports median federal debt of $26,816 among Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $59,868 four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $59,701 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| Baylor University, a private nonprofit university in Waco, reports median earnings of $59,701 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,024 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 13 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $59,620 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| University of Delaware reports median earnings of $59,620 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with 52 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 14 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $59,329 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| An average net price of $2,962 for families earning under $30,000 accompanies University of Maryland-College Park's $59,329 in median earnings for Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $58,475 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus admits 17% of applicants and posts median earnings of $58,475 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 16 | University of North Georgia · Dahlonega, GA | $58,403 | $9,823 | $6,981 | 67.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $17,750 in federal loans at University of North Georgia, where Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $58,403 four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $57,722 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $57,722 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $57,431 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| With an admission rate of 87%, The University of Texas at San Antonio shows median earnings of $57,431 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | Towson University · Towson, MD | $57,388 | $17,413 | $6,962 | 82.0% |
| Towson University reports an average net price of $17,413 and median earnings of $57,388 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $57,056 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 75.0% |
| Median federal debt of $20,500 across all of Oklahoma State University-Main Campus's borrowers who completed coincides with median earnings of $57,056 for Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | St. Mary's College of Maryland · St. Mary's City, MD | $56,619 | $18,441 | $2,889 | 68.6% |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland posts an average net price of $2,889 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $56,619 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 22 | University of Lynchburg · Lynchburg, VA | $55,883 | $22,235 | $20,692 | 43.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in Lynchburg, University of Lynchburg reports median earnings of $55,883 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 23 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $55,595 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $55,595 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County · Baltimore, MD | $55,336 | $16,467 | $5,087 | 72.4% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County reports an average net price of $5,087 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $55,336 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | Wofford College · Spartanburg, SC | $55,044 | $18,732 | $8,493 | 51.9% |
| Wofford College reports median earnings of $55,044 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 14 graduates. | |||||
| 26 | Roanoke College · Salem, VA | $54,957 | $24,503 | $15,204 | 83.1% |
| Roanoke College admits 83% of applicants and its Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 27 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $54,288 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
| Florida State University, a public university in Tallahassee, ranks 65th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 28 | Randolph-Macon College · Ashland, VA | $54,186 | $27,866 | $16,601 | 86.6% |
| Randolph-Macon College shows an average net price of $27,866 and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earned a median of $54,186 four years after completing. | |||||
| 29 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $54,077 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 94.0% |
| Stephen F Austin State University reports median earnings of $54,077 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 94%. | |||||
| 30 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $53,991 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| University of South Florida posts an average net price of $9,812 and its Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed left with a median of $17,500 in federal loans. | |||||
| 31 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $52,619 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
| The University of Alabama ranks 31st on this list, with median earnings of $52,619 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | Georgia College & State University · Milledgeville, GA | $52,478 | $20,686 | $15,396 | 78.2% |
| Georgia College & State University reports an average net price of $15,396 for families earning under $30,000 and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earned a median of $52,478 four years after completing. | |||||
| 33 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $52,301 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 310th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $52,301 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $51,967 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas admits 74% of applicants and its Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed left with a median of $22,834 in federal loans. | |||||
| 35 | Stetson University · Deland, FL | $51,955 | $19,372 | $15,931 | 71.6% |
| Stetson University reports median earnings of $51,955 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 12 graduates. | |||||
| 36 | Berry College · Mount Berry, GA | $51,465 | $22,320 | $18,189 | 64.0% |
| Berry College shows an average net price of $22,320 and its Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed left with a median of $22,250 in federal loans. | |||||
| 37 | Florida Gulf Coast University · Fort Myers, FL | $51,265 | $12,568 | $8,220 | 63.4% |
| Florida Gulf Coast University reports median earnings of $51,265 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with 49 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 38 | University of West Florida · Pensacola, FL | $50,746 | $9,364 | $4,815 | 58.2% |
| A public university in Pensacola, University of West Florida ranks 38th on this list and carries an average net price of $9,364. | |||||
| 39 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $50,447 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia admits 60% of applicants and shows median federal debt of $24,000 among Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 40 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $50,217 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University ranks 171st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside median earnings of $50,217 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $50,204 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| University of Kentucky posts an average net price of $12,182 for families earning under $30,000 and reports 45 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 42 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC | $49,806 | $10,260 | $7,919 | 93.3% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $25,000 in federal loans at University of North Carolina at Pembroke, which ranks 42nd on this list. | |||||
| 43 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $49,748 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 54.7% |
| Florida International University reports median earnings of $49,748 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing and ranks 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 44 | Salisbury University · Salisbury, MD | $49,706 | $17,743 | $6,743 | 87.5% |
| Salisbury University admits 87% of applicants and shows median federal debt of $19,500 among Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 45 | Ferrum College · Ferrum, VA | $49,527 | $20,082 | $16,940 | 89.0% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Ferrum, Ferrum College ranks 45th on this list with median earnings of $49,527 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 46 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $48,949 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 67.7% |
| Northern Kentucky University carries an average net price of $2,603 for families earning under $30,000 and reports 18 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 47 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $48,134 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University ranks 86th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside median federal debt of $22,897 among Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 48 | Flagler College · Saint Augustine, FL | $48,085 | $30,525 | $21,733 | 80.8% |
| Flagler College admits 81% of applicants and reports median earnings of $48,085 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 49 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $47,709 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
| Tulane University of Louisiana reports $47,709 in median earnings for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, alongside a 14% admission rate. | |||||
| 50 | Washington College · Chestertown, MD | $46,831 | $27,898 | $17,804 | 56.9% |
| Washington College admits 57% of applicants and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $46,831 four years after completing. | |||||
| 51 | Shepherd University · Shepherdstown, WV | $46,797 | $11,363 | $7,906 | 96.8% |
| A public university in Shepherdstown, Shepherd University has an average net price of $11,363 and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $46,797 four years after completing. | |||||
| 52 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $46,772 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh ranks 99th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $46,772 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $46,527 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington's Natural Resources Conservation completers who borrowed left with a median of $21,500 in federal loans, and earned a median of $46,527 four years after completing. | |||||
| 54 | University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC | $46,518 | $12,250 | $8,219 | 91.9% |
| With a 92% admission rate, University of North Carolina Asheville reports median earnings of $46,518 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $46,207 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| Appalachian State University ranks 55th on this list, with a 90% admission rate and median earnings of $46,207 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 56 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN | $45,955 | $14,265 | $9,876 | 81.1% |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga reports median earnings of $45,955 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $14,265. | |||||
| 57 | Tennessee Technological University · Cookeville, TN | $44,906 | $14,246 | $9,815 | 76.1% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left Tennessee Technological University with a median of $15,650 in federal loans, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earned a median of $44,906 four years after completing. | |||||
| 58 | Saint Edward's University · Austin, TX | $44,134 | $25,578 | $20,799 | 81.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in Austin, Saint Edward's University reports median earnings of $44,134 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $25,578. | |||||
| 59 | Marshall University · Huntington, WV | $43,995 | $7,502 | $4,648 | 95.7% |
| Marshall University ranks 383rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $43,995 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 60 | Warren Wilson College · Swannanoa, NC | $43,793 | $21,249 | $13,566 | 71.3% |
| Warren Wilson College reports an average net price of $21,249 and median earnings of $43,793 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 61 | Catawba College · Salisbury, NC | $42,505 | $17,879 | $13,618 | 75.2% |
| Catawba College reports median earnings of $42,505 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $17,879. | |||||
| 62 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $40,831 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Western Carolina University left with a median of $21,868 in federal loans, and the school's Natural Resources Conservation completers earn a median of $40,831 four years after completing. | |||||
| 63 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $40,266 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 38.3% |
| Clemson University admits 38% of applicants and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $40,266 four years after completing. | |||||
| 64 | Eckerd College · Saint Petersburg, FL | $39,932 | $38,071 | $29,615 | 75.8% |
| Eckerd College ranks 64th on this list, with median earnings of $39,932 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $38,071. | |||||
| 65 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $37,208 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College posts median earnings of $37,208 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $13,056 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 66 | Bridgewater College · Bridgewater, VA | $37,208 | $17,800 | $13,283 | 91.7% |
| Bridgewater College reports an average net price of $17,800 and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $37,208 four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $36,848 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston holds an Azimuth composite rank of 13th among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $36,848 four years after completing. | |||||
| 68 | Auburn University at Montgomery · Montgomery, AL | $33,993 | $13,224 | $11,706 | 91.6% |
| Auburn University at Montgomery admits 92% of applicants, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $33,993 four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | Winthrop University · Rock Hill, SC | $32,925 | $15,343 | $12,608 | 79.3% |
| Winthrop University reports median earnings of $32,925 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $15,343. | |||||
| 70 | McDaniel College · Westminster, MD | $32,925 | $21,916 | $12,210 | 77.9% |
| McDaniel College reports an average net price of $12,210 for families earning under $30,000, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $32,925 four years after completing. | |||||
| 71 | Hood College · Frederick, MD | $29,685 | $20,873 | $12,424 | 77.8% |
| Hood College ranks 71st on this list, with median earnings of $29,685 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $12,424 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 72 | The University of the South · Sewanee, TN | $25,774 | $27,872 | $10,485 | 56.9% |
| The University of the South reports an average net price of $10,485 for families earning under $30,000, and its Natural Resources Conservation graduates earn a median of $25,774 four years after completing. | |||||
| 73 | Goucher College · Baltimore, MD | $25,194 | $22,470 | $13,471 | 77.7% |
| Goucher College, a private nonprofit college in Baltimore, reports median earnings of $25,194 for its Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, with 7 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Natural Resources Conservation graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure is the median for federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 9 of the 73 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. University of Houston-Clear Lake leads at $75,258, just $1,823 ahead of Duke University at $73,435. The spread from top to bottom is $50,064, with the lowest listed median at $25,194.
Job market context in the South
The Bureau of Labor Statistics links Natural Resources Conservation to occupations such as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health, and Compliance Officers. Across those occupations in the South, the median annual wage is $73,623, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $55,584. Projections for 2024 to 2034 show about 18,690 openings a year, or about 416 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 7.7% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. These labor-market figures describe the occupations, not the earnings of any listed program; the ranking above uses graduate earnings data.
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- Best Colleges in the South
- Natural Resources Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Natural Resources Colleges in the South