2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

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. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.

4

Roane State Community College
Harriman, TN

Roane State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC

A rank of #5 makes Horry Georgetown Technical College one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. 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 earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. 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 general education graduates is $18,474. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

7

Blue Ridge Community And Technical College
Martinsburg, WV

Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,808. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community And Technical College generally make around $41,032. That is a strong return on a $18,402 median debt.

8

Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, TN

Pellissippi State Community College came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.

9

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College placed #9 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. 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. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

11

Walters State Community College
Morristown, TN

Walters State Community College came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $12,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.

12

Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga State Community College came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,079. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,252. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.

13

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University placed #13 among the best values for general education. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,760. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,931. That is a strong return on a $22,760 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.

14

Nashville State Community College
Nashville, TN

Nashville State Community College landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,745. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.

16

Northeast State Community College
Blountville, TN

Northeast State Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Students borrow a median of $6,404 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,673. 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. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $61,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,755. General Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,392 early in their careers. 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. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,939. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

22

Motlow State Community College
Tullahoma, TN

Motlow State Community College came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $6,470. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $43,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $69,003. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

24

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University
Keyser, WV

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,050 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,050 median debt.

25

Louisiana Delta Community College
Monroe, LA

Louisiana Delta Community College came in at #25 for value in general education this year. Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,159. 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.