2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,212. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

2

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

A rank of #2 makes Florida Polytechnic University one of the best values for value. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $21,004. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $64,823. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

4

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #4 place for value. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.

5

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

6

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.

7

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Value graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

10

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Value graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

11

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

12

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University earned the #12 position for value in 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, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University placed #13 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,091. Early-career value graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

14

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

15

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,813. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

16

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #16 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

17

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Value graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Value graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

18

Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University placed #18 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,590 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Value graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Charleston
Charleston, WV

University Of Charleston ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,617. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,646. Early-career value graduates make about $64,407. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.

20

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #20 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Value graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Value graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $54,087. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

22

High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #22 among the best values for value. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.