2026 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the Southeast Region
[Organizational Leadership](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/organizational-leadership/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong organizational leadership education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 147 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for organizational leadership students.
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2026 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in organizational leadership, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
For return on investment in organizational leadership, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $17,700. Organizational Leadership graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $61,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,700 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,339 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $121,218. That is a strong return on a $14,339 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $36,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $63,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in organizational leadership will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #4. 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. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $20,780 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $59,586. That is a strong return on a $20,780 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Georgia earned it the #5 place for organizational leadership. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $21,052. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $19,701. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $74,954. That is a strong return on a $19,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Murray State University came in at #7 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $21,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $40,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Alabama ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $41,357. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #9 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $25,320. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $54,667. That is a strong return on a $25,320 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #10 spot for organizational leadership value this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $19,148 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $39,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,148 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
West Virginia University came in at #11 for value in organizational leadership this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $25,242 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $60,460. Set against $25,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #12 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $22,868. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $72,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #13 for value in organizational leadership this year. 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. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $63,694. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Fairmont State University came in at #14 for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $45,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $25,658 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $49,903 early in their careers. Set against $25,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #16 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $18,485 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $56,377 early in their careers. Set against $18,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #17 among the best values for organizational leadership. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $47,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University landed the #18 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Students borrow a median of $37,250 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $50,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $22,000. Organizational Leadership graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans came in at #20 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $26,433. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. Set against $26,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University placed #21 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $27,879. Organizational Leadership graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $66,999 early in their careers. Set against $27,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University earned the #22 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $50,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arkansas placed #23 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $21,500. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
East Carolina University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $69,421 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #25 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $55,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for organizational leadership this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
