2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
University Of Florida Online tops our 2027 list of the best value general education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,784. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Set against $17,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Roane State Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia State Community College earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $37,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,252. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,474. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $38,928. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
John Tyler Community College earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,262. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $12,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,907 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $37,626 early in their careers. Set against $10,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,462. General Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #14 among the best values for general education. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida placed #15 among the best values for general education. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,620. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,179. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Nashville State Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairmont State University earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,760 in student loans. General Education graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $40,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,760 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,250. General Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $49,939 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia placed #22 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,792. General Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $69,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,530. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $48,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #24 for value in general education this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,714. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,659. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Louisiana Delta Community College earned the #25 position for value in general education this year. Louisiana Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $4,159 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,024 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College generally make around $35,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
