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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Tennessee

4 Colleges in the United States
$21,515 Avg Student Debt
$55,946 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Badge [Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in Tennessee

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Tennessee Martin the best value for a degree in natural resources & conservation in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,748. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $33,543. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

2

Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $34,944. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #3 place for natural resources & conservation. 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. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $13,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $29,936. That is a strong return on a $13,673 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $27,000. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $31,427 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #5 spot this year. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,078. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. That is a strong return on a $23,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

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6

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #6 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $35,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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