2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/risk-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $27,813 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $47,151. Set against $27,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Edison State College one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Value graduates carry a median of $13,314 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $44,481. Set against $13,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Johns River State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, with out-of-state students paying around $9,334. Typical student debt for value graduates is $28,994. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $37,325. Set against $28,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palm Beach State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $15,322 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,501. That is a strong return on a $15,322 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Fe College earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,563, compared with $9,189 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,875. Value graduates of Santa Fe College earn a median of $45,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Value graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $60,320. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Broward College earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Value graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Value graduates of Broward College earn a median of $49,627 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a large public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,074, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,360. Value graduates of State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota earn a median of $50,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,360 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
