2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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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
Clayton State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $30,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Value graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $35,930. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Intercontinental University Atlanta earned it the #3 place for value. American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,527. Students borrow a median of $37,625 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Atlanta generally make around $32,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bethel University Tennessee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Students borrow a median of $24,444 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $54,442. Set against $24,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Brewton Parker College, which ranked #5. Brewton Parker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Vernon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,120. Median earnings reach $42,009 ten years out. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,770. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Sullivan University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $34,249 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Sullivan University earn a median of $54,104 early in their careers. Set against $34,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
