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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in the Southeast Region

12 Colleges in the United States
494 Best Degrees Awarded
$52,576 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Leading the list is James Madison University, our #1 school for best. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 best degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Best graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Get the full best details for James Madison University

2
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Florida State University, which ranked #2. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 52 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Florida State University earn around $58,249 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Get the full best details for Florida State University

3

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 24 best students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from George Mason University earn around $56,264 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,747. See the full best program report for George Mason University

4

A rank of #4 makes Georgia Southern University one of the top schools for best. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Georgia Southern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Georgia Southern University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Georgia Southern University

5

University Of Alabama At Birmingham is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 21 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $55,413 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,162. Read more about the best program at University Of Alabama At Birmingham

6

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #6 position for best this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $94,550 early in their careers. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

7

University Of The Cumberlands came in at #7 for best this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamsburg. University Of The Cumberlands graduates 50% of students within six years. About 23 best degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of The Cumberlands earn around $50,547 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of The Cumberlands

8

University Of Charleston came in at #8 for best this year. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Charleston earn around $64,407 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of Charleston

9
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #9 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 best students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Regent University earn a median of $67,561 early in their careers. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Regent University

10
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University earned the #10 position for best this year. This large private for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Ecpi University graduates 28% of students within six years. About 13 best degrees were awarded at Ecpi University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $48,429 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,988. See the full best program report for Ecpi University

11

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #11 for best this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale awarded about 28 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn around $32,462 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,326 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

12

Guilford Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for best this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Jamestown. About 29 best degrees were awarded at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $36,124 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Guilford Technical Community College

13

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #13 among the best best schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. About 143 best degrees were awarded at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Get the full best details for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

14

South Piedmont Community College earned the #14 position for best this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 18 best degrees were awarded at South Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $39,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for South Piedmont Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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