2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for higher education/higher education administration students.
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2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat University Of Florida this year. 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $75,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,116. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $67,960. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
American Public University System came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. 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. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida came in at #6 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $54,551. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #7 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $75,462. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Murray State University landed the #8 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $53,881. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia placed #9 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,789. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $89,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $103,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of West Alabama ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $65,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #12 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $66,432. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Memphis earned the #13 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $74,676. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,122. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arkansas Tech University placed #15 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,257. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $76,248. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,444. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $49,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $42,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University placed #18 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University landed the #19 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $63,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #20 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $27,004. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $65,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Vanderbilt University placed #21 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $78,283. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University placed #22 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #23 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #24 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,113. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $78,549. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
William Carey University earned the #25 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $69,448. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in higher education/higher education administration:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
