2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southeast Region

[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $65,893 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $60,563. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,212. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $61,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $54,063. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $52,962. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #7 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Valdosta State University landed the #8 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #9 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia landed the #10 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. 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. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #12 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,530. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $62,326. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Morehead State University landed the #14 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,896. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,020. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $58,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for curriculum & instruction value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,399. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $50,958. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #17 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $41,350 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $39,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University came in at #19 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,745. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $59,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #20 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Francis Marion University placed #21 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $30,577. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $41,456. That is a strong return on a $30,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Nicholls State University landed the #22 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,513. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $50,644. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #23 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,233. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $27,004. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $52,200. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.