2027 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the Southeast Region

[Organizational Leadership](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/organizational-leadership/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong organizational leadership education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 124 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value organizational leadership schools.
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2027 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in organizational leadership, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
For return on investment in organizational leadership, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,339 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $121,218. Set against $14,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in organizational leadership, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $36,651 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $63,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,651 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes American Public University System one of the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $20,780. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $59,586. Set against $20,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in organizational leadership, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $21,061. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $40,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $19,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $74,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Austin Peay State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,605 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,605 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,320 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $54,667. That is a strong return on a $25,320 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $14,789 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $34,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #10 position for value in organizational leadership this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $19,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,057. That is a strong return on a $19,148 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $13,975. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $149,786. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $37,250. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $50,942. Set against $37,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Fairmont State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $45,920. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $25,658 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $49,903. That is a strong return on a $25,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $22,000. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $53,962. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Valdosta State University placed #16 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $30,000. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $50,272. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia landed the #17 spot for organizational leadership value this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $54,483. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #18 among the best values for organizational leadership. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $18,485. Organizational Leadership graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $56,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,485 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #19 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $63,694. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $22,868. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $72,722. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #21 among the best values for organizational leadership. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,242 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $60,460. Set against $25,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #22 for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,450 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $56,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana College placed #23 among the best values for organizational leadership. Louisiana College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pineville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,266. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $26,997. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Louisiana College generally make around $57,294. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Middle Georgia State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $26,243. Organizational Leadership graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $49,052 early in their careers. Set against $26,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,835 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $40,775. Set against $26,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for organizational leadership this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.