2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
79
Ranked Colleges
4,037
Degrees Awarded
$8,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 41st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 4,037 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,577 and $24,252 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 79 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
Out of the 79 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 38 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $65 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at University of Florida
Out of the 79 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 11 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,176 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Vanderbilt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $3,753 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Education at UNC Chapel Hill
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school awarded 159 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,476 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at University of Virginia
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 21 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,283 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on General Education at North Carolina State University
With a ranking of #6, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.
UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,303 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Georgia.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Education at UGA
University of Central Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 82 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,468 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCF.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at University of Central Florida
With a ranking of #8, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, this large public school handed out 61 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, FAU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $6,726 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Florida Atlantic University General Education Report
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FGCU is a fairly large school located in Fort Myers, Florida that handed out 49 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
FGCU also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Florida Gulf Coast University is $6,762 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Florida Gulf Coast University
University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Education at University of South Florida - Main Campus
With a ranking of #11, Marshall University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Huntington, West Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,377 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marshall University.
Read more about General Education at Marshall University
Berea College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Berea, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Berea is $4,531 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Berea General Education Report
Converse College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Converse College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Converse College is $20,672 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Education at Converse College
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 35 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Knoxville also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $10,433 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school handed out 77 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Louisiana State University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $11,318 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full Louisiana State University General Education Report
With a ranking of #16, Bob Jones University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bob Jones University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bob Jones University is $10,825 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Bob Jones University General Education Report
Northern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend NKU is $4,632 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full NKU General Education Report
With a ranking of #18, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 77 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, WVU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Virginia University is $10,014 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Education at West Virginia University
James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. JMU is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 295 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
JMU also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $14,288 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at JMU
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
UofSC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $12,130 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UofSC.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at University of South Carolina - Columbia
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Perkinston, Mississippi. It awarded 110 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,996 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Read full report on General Education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Augusta University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Augusta, Georgia, and it awarded 30 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Augusta University is $9,740 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Augusta University General Education Report
Clemson University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clemson is located in Clemson, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 153 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Clemson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $13,744 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Clemson University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Education at Clemson
With a ranking of #24, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 27 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Mississippi is $7,764 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on General Education at Ole Miss
University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wilmington, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $11,710 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UNCW
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