2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,779. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

3

Columbia State Community College
Columbia, TN

Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,674. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Roane State Community College
Harriman, TN

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Roane State Community College, which ranked #4. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. General Education graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #5 place for general education. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,387. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,474. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,928. That is a strong return on a $18,474 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

7

Blue Ridge Community And Technical College
Martinsburg, WV

Blue Ridge Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,402 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community And Technical College generally make around $41,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, TN

Pellissippi State Community College placed #8 among the best values for general education. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.

9

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

11

Walters State Community College
Morristown, TN

Walters State Community College earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,210. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $12,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga State Community College landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University placed #13 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $40,931. Set against $22,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.

14

Nashville State Community College
Nashville, TN

Nashville State Community College came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. General Education graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. General Education graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.

16

Northeast State Community College
Blountville, TN

Northeast State Community College placed #16 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Students borrow a median of $6,404 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.

17

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $61,179. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

18

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. General Education graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.

19

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,755. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $38,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

20

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $49,939 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

22

Motlow State Community College
Tullahoma, TN

Motlow State Community College placed #22 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. Students borrow a median of $6,470 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #23 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,792. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,003. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

24

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University
Keyser, WV

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University placed #24 among the best values for general education. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,050. General Education graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. Set against $11,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Louisiana Delta Community College
Monroe, LA

Louisiana Delta Community College landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $4,159 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,024 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Louisiana Delta Community College earn a median of $35,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,024 median debt.