2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

Florida Polytechnic University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Southeast Region. 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, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $64,823. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

3

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #3 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,967. 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.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

5

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for value. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Value graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

7

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #7 among the best values for value. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,754. Value graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

8

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,315. Value graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,969. Early-career value graduates make about $47,383. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #10 position for value in value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

11

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #11 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

13

Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,110. Early-career value graduates make about $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary landed the #14 spot for value value this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. 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 value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.

15

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.

16

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

17

Piedmont International University
Winston-Salem, NC

Piedmont International University came in at #17 for value in value this year. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,575. Value graduates carry a median of $28,154 in student loans. Value graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $61,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.

18

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #18 for value in value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,296. Value graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

19

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,074 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,845. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $70,246. That is a strong return on a $22,845 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.