2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southeast Region

[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong curriculum & instruction education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 132 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value curriculum & instruction schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
For return on investment in curriculum & instruction, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $65,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $60,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Gulf Coast University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,015. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $58,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $61,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $54,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #7 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $50,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $52,962. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia landed the #10 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Florida placed #11 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #12 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $62,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee State University came in at #13 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,868. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $45,609. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $59,953 early in their careers. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Morehead State University earned the #18 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #19 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $53,233. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #20 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $41,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Nicholls State University earned the #21 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,513. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,644. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,958. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $52,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #24 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,673. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $68,513. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Memphis landed the #25 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $64,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for curriculum & instruction this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 132 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.