2026 Best Value School Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
[School Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/school-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for school psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value School Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the school psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value School Psychology Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among school psychology schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $17,669. School Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,597. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #3 place for school psychology. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. School Psychology graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $65,249 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for school psychology. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the school psychology program here. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,976. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the school psychology program here. School Psychology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in school psychology this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the school psychology program here. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis earned the #7 position for value in school psychology this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the school psychology program here. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $85,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University placed #8 among the best values for school psychology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $43,802. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Francis Marion University placed #9 among the best values for school psychology. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #10 for value in school psychology this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. School Psychology graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $69,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #11 for value in school psychology this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $61,345. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University came in at #12 for value in school psychology this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,040 in student loans. School Psychology graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $58,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #13 among the best values for school psychology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the school psychology program here. School Psychology graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $38,719 early in their careers. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value school psychology schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
East Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in school psychology this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $24,747. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $56,803. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value school psychology schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $24,094. School Psychology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $72,289 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
George Mason University earned the #17 position for value in school psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the school psychology program here. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $60,240. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Carey University came in at #18 for value in school psychology this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $25,079. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #19 position for value in school psychology this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the school psychology program here. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,265. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #20 position for value in school psychology this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $24,305. School Psychology graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $52,909 early in their careers. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
The University Of Alabama placed #21 among the best values for school psychology. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Barry University came in at #22 for value in school psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,350. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,180 in student loans. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $45,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value school psychology schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $25,498. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $44,970. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value school psychology schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $24,472. School Psychology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $54,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #25 position for value in school psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the school psychology program here. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $55,311. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
