2027 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools in the Southeast Region

[Research and Development Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/research-and-development-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for research and development management students.
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2027 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the research and development management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Research and Development Management Schools
Austin Peay State University earned the #1 spot for value among research and development management schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,605. Research And Development Management 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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research and development management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $14,339. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Mississippi earned it the #3 place for research and development management. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $24,508 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $54,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in research and development management will find it at Piedmont International University, which ranked #4. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,575. Students borrow a median of $28,154 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Piedmont International University generally make around $34,325. Set against $28,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $104,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.