2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/early-childhood-and-family-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Dyersburg State Community College the best value for a degree in value in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Value graduates carry a median of $10,611 in student loans. Value graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.
American Public University System came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,340 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $27,587. That is a strong return on a $26,340 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at The University Of Alabama, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $30,264. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
