2026 Best Value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Schools in the Southeast Region

[Forest Management/Forest Resources Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/forest-management-forest-resources-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forest management/forest resources management students.
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2026 Best Value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forest management/forest resources management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Schools
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earned the #1 spot for value among forest management/forest resources management schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $10,588. Forest Management/forest Resources Management graduates carry a median of $20,282 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forest management/forest resources management degree recipients from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College generally make around $40,065. That is a strong return on a $20,282 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in forest management/forest resources management will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Forest Management/forest Resources Management graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Forest Management/forest Resources Management graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $43,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forest management/forest resources management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Forest Management/forest Resources Management graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Early-career forest management/forest resources management graduates make about $41,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in forest management/forest resources management will find it at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete the forest management/forest resources management program here. Early-career forest management/forest resources management graduates make about $61,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #5 makes Clemson University one of the best values for forest management/forest resources management. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forest management/forest resources management graduates is $24,700. Early-career forest management/forest resources management graduates make about $53,850. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.