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2027 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

32 Colleges in the United States
1,350 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degrees Awarded
$62,996 Avg Early-Career Salary

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools to find the best for higher education/higher education administration students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall higher education/higher education administration education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

1

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $78,549 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $78,283 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Vanderbilt University

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $63,369 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $75,483. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at University Of Florida

5

The University Of Alabama came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. About 73% of students finish within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 33 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $73,917 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from The University Of Alabama

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #6 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $70,412 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7

University Of Louisville placed #7 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 199 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $82,333. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of Louisville

8

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #8 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $69,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,162. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

9
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #9 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 12 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $77,499. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Arkansas

10
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #10 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida State University awarded about 21 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $67,960 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Florida State University

11
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Nova Southeastern University earn around $52,712 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,021. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Nova Southeastern University

12

University Of West Georgia came in at #12 for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 21 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of West Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of West Georgia earn around $89,318 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of West Georgia

13

University Of North Georgia came in at #13 for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of North Georgia earn around $43,714 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,439. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of North Georgia

14

Appalachian State University placed #14 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 32 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $69,507 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Appalachian State University

15

The University Of Tennessee placed #15 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 14 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $49,826 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from The University Of Tennessee

16

Mercer University came in at #16 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Mercer University awarded about 18 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $51,572 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Mercer University

17

University Of Kentucky landed the #17 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $57,665. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Kentucky

18

Florida International University earned the #18 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 49 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,116 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Florida International University

19

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #19 for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 11 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $75,462 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

20

University Of North Florida earned the #20 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 10 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $54,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of North Florida

21
South College crest
South College
Knoxville, TN

South College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit university. South College graduates 53% of students within six years. About 133 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at South College in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $51,389 in their early career. South College graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at South College

22

University Of West Alabama ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This large public university is located in the rural area of Livingston. University Of West Alabama graduates 28% of students within six years. About 15 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of West Alabama in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $65,443 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of West Alabama

23

University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #23 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 31 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $49,265 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

24

American Public University System ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best 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. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. American Public University System awarded about 12 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $57,404 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,438. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at American Public University System

25
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #25 for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Mississippi State University awarded about 14 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Mississippi State University earn around $45,794 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,969. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Mississippi State University

Rest of the Top 32 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools

These schools also placed among the best for higher education/higher education administration this year:

26
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
27
28
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
29
30
31
32

View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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