2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/communication-management-and-strategic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Kentucky University the best value for a degree in value in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,000. Early-career value graduates make about $35,534. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Southeastern Louisiana University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,323. Early-career value graduates make about $42,682. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. 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 $56,835. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,723. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Value graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $45,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #7 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Value graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $42,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,415. Early-career value graduates make about $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Southern Adventist University placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Value graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Hampton University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $46,870. That is a strong return on a $26,169 median debt. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,447. Early-career value graduates make about $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
Rollins College came in at #12 for value in value this year. Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. In-state tuition and fees average $60,580. Value graduates carry a median of $26,203 in student loans. Value graduates of Rollins College earn a median of $40,403 early in their careers. Set against $26,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Elon University earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,619 median debt. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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.
