2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Our analysis ranked Florida Atlantic University the best value for a degree in value in the Southeast Region. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Value graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $52,155. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

2

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,022. Early-career value graduates make about $52,689. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

3

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Value graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $70,882. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

4

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $38,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $58,199. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $56,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

8

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $49,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

9

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University placed #9 among the best values for value. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Value graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $53,876. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Value graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $66,534. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,015. Value graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $54,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

12

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #12 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $31,809 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Clayton State University
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University came in at #13 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $35,088 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $42,114. Set against $35,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.

14

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,489. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

15

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,122. Early-career value graduates make about $54,235. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

16

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $48,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #17 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, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,523. Value graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $53,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

18

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #18 for value in value this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $54,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #19 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,323. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

20

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Value graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $54,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

21

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in value this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,399. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $64,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

22

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University placed #22 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,001. Value graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $65,888 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

23

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, 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 $59,111. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

24

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #24 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $46,625. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe earned the #25 position for value in value this year. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Value graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.