2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University tops our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $50,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

2

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Itawamba Community College earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,942. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,696. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $19,489. Secondary Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

6

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Holmes Community College landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,200 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $18,553. That is a strong return on a $6,200 median debt.

7

Northwest Mississippi Community College
Senatobia, MS

Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #7 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $8,803 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $18,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,255. That is a strong return on a $19,097 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $19,500. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,402. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

10

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,324. Secondary Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,886. Secondary Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $41,584 early in their careers. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

12

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,262. Secondary Education graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

14

Concord University
Athens, WV

Concord University placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,664, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,209 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Concord University earn a median of $42,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,209 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $43,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.

16

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,725 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

17

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama came in at #17 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $47,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

18

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University landed the #18 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,078. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

19

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20

Copiah Lincoln Community College
Wesson, MS

Copiah Lincoln Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.

21

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $48,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

22

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University placed #22 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,292 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

23

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $48,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

24

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,782. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,571. That is a strong return on a $22,782 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

25

Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN

Christian Brothers University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.