2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida International University
Miami, FL

For return on investment in adult & continuing education, no school beat Florida International University this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $48,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

2

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #2 place for adult & continuing education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

3

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. 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. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

A rank of #4 makes Morehead State University one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,292. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $42,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.

5

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

Students looking for strong value in adult & continuing education will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $18,229. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $59,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

6

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University placed #6 among the best values for adult & continuing education. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.

7

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $21,424. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $41,939. That is a strong return on a $21,424 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #8 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Students borrow a median of $23,662 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.

9

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

University Of West Alabama earned the #9 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $54,953 early in their careers. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

10

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education 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 $25,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $48,733. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

11

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $24,763. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $45,528. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

12

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,625. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $45,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
Little Rock, AR

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $22,500. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $47,170. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #14 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $21,500. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University earned the #15 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $45,531. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

16

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #16 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

17

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #17 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,813. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $57,000. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

18

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $50,406. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

19

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $20,130 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $42,535. That is a strong return on a $20,130 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

20

Brenau University
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University came in at #20 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $38,250. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Brenau University generally make around $47,002. That is a strong return on a $38,250 median debt. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.

21

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #21 for value in adult & continuing education this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $52,997. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

22

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.