2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/communication-management-and-strategic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Western Kentucky University, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $56,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,323. Value graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $42,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Troy University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Kentucky, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $45,275. Set against $24,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,718. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #8 for value in value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,451. Value graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #9 spot for value value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $42,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Belmont University placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Value graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
Hampton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,169. Value graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. Set against $26,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,463. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
