2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general educational leadership & administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 145 schools to find the best return on investment for general educational leadership & administration students.
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2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general educational leadership & administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general educational leadership & administration schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $75,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general educational leadership & administration will find it at Louisiana State University Shreveport, which ranked #3. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $28,907. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $64,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanly Community College earned it the #5 place for general educational leadership & administration. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Johnston Community College came in at #6 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $9,490. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #7 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,572. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $83,156. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida came in at #8 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. 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. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $19,677. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $60,344. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #9 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $49,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #10 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $59,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #12 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $67,864. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Alamance Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida came in at #14 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $66,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Fayetteville State University came in at #15 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $63,764 early in their careers. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Fairmont State University earned the #16 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Students borrow a median of $26,447 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $45,920. Set against $26,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
American Public University System earned the #17 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,438. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
Florida State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $67,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University came in at #19 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Haywood Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $35,767.
University Of North Florida earned the #21 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. 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 general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $54,551. 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 #22 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $75,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #23 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $53,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University placed #24 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,326. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $40,748. That is a strong return on a $23,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #25 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $65,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general educational leadership & administration this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 145 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 145 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.
