2026 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong higher education/higher education administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in higher education/higher education administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. 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 higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $75,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $49,116. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,488. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,960. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at University Of North Georgia, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. 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 American Public University System earned it the #5 place for higher education/higher education administration. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University landed the #6 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,420. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $53,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #7 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $75,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $103,513. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #9 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $18,523. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $54,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
West Virginia University came in at #10 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,772. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #12 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $49,265. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama landed the #13 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $65,443. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #14 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. 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, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,315. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $74,676 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University placed #16 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of West Georgia landed the #17 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $89,318. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #18 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,113. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $78,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #19 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,747. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,992. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $69,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #21 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University earned the #22 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $65,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University placed #23 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,969. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $45,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Students borrow a median of $27,093 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $47,170. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University earned the #25 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $45,382. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s higher education/higher education administration value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
