2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southeast Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 132 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in curriculum & instruction in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $17,669. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $65,893. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $60,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place for curriculum & instruction. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #4. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,763. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. 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 landed the #6 spot for curriculum & instruction value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #7 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $28,907. 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $50,839. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $52,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia earned the #10 position for value in curriculum & instruction 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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. 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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #12 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $62,326. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $45,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #14 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $45,609. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University earned the #15 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $28,661. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #16 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University placed #17 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,896. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $58,020. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $41,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Nicholls State University landed the #21 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $50,644 early in their careers. Set against $24,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #23 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $52,200. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #24 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $68,513. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #25 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $64,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
