2026 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

For return on investment in research and development management, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $14,339 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $14,339 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research and development management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $24,508 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $54,955 early in their careers. Set against $24,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

3

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research and development management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $22,605 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $38,750. Set against $22,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research and development management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $57,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

5

Piedmont International University
Winston-Salem, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Piedmont International University earned it the #5 place for research and development management. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,575. Students borrow a median of $28,154 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $61,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.

6

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #6 position for value in research and development management this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $104,615. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.