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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

30 Colleges in the United States
1,222 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degrees Awarded
$66,710 Avg Early-Career Salary

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their higher education/higher education administration programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 69 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for higher education/higher education administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall higher education/higher education administration education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

1

George Mason University tops our 2026 ranking of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $84,096 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from George Mason University

2
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 14 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Miami

3

Students looking for a strong higher education/higher education administration program will find one at Elon University, which ranked #3. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Elon University earn around $50,463 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Elon University

4
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 22 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $78,283. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Vanderbilt University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the top schools for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $103,513. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Georgia

6
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 21 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $75,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Florida

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $78,549 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

8

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #8 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $63,369. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

9

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #9 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 13 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $70,412 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

10

The University Of Alabama landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $73,917 in their early career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for The University Of Alabama

11
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #11 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,960. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Florida State University

12
Bellarmine University crest
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University landed the #12 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bellarmine University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Bellarmine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $46,024 in their early career. Bellarmine University graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Bellarmine University

13

Appalachian State University placed #13 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 41 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Appalachian State University earn around $69,507 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Appalachian State University

14

University Of Louisville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 189 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $82,333 early in their careers. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Louisville

15
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas landed the #15 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $77,499 in their early career. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Arkansas

16

University Of West Georgia landed the #16 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. University Of West Georgia awarded about 20 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $89,318 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,789. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of West Georgia

17

University Of North Georgia came in at #17 for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Dahlonega. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Georgia awarded about 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. University Of North Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at University Of North Georgia

18

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #18 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $67,451 in their early career. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina

19

Mercer University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Mercer University in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $51,572 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete this degree. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Mercer University

20

University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #20 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 14 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $69,736. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

21

Florida International University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida International University awarded about 48 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,116 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Florida International University

22

University Of West Alabama landed the #22 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. About 28% of students finish within six years. About 26 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of West Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $65,443. University Of West Alabama graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at University Of West Alabama

23

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #23 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 21 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $75,462 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

24

West Virginia University earned the #24 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 25 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $51,750 in their early career. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for West Virginia University

25

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This very large public university is located in the town of University. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 38 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $49,265 early in their careers. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of Mississippi Main Campus

Rest of the Top 30 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools

These schools also placed among the best for higher education/higher education administration this year:

26
27
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
28
29
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC
30

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 69 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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