2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in the Southeast Region
[Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented](/majors/education/special-education/teaching-the-gifted-and-talented/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools.
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2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools
Leading the list is University Of South Florida Main Campus, our #1 best value for education/teaching of the gifted & talented in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,538 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $20,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $20,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $28,381 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $41,278. Set against $28,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,775 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $23,399. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $50,720. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $56,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #9 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $47,549. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #10 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $28,061 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $49,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
George Mason University came in at #11 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $62,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earned the #12 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $47,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #13 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
William Carey University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $25,079. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $24,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Regent University landed the #16 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $53,714. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont College placed #17 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $29,975. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $52,567. Set against $29,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Piedmont College admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #18 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Mississippi College landed the #19 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $25,510 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $42,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
Averett University landed the #20 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,550. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $28,595. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Lipscomb University came in at #21 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $51,798 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #22 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Queens University Of Charlotte earn a median of $59,654 early in their careers. Set against $27,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #23 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $29,875 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. Set against $29,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #24 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $55,480. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University earned the #25 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
