2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,784 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Roane State Community College, which ranked #3. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. General Education graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,674. General Education graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #5 place for general education. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. 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. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,474. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
John Tyler Community College placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. General Education graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Walters State Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $12,280. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York Technical College came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,907. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $37,626. Set against $10,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $5,500. Early-career general education graduates make about $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Nashville State Community College landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Education graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $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. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $40,931. Set against $22,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #19 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #20 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $49,939. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $69,003. 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. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. General Education graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $48,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $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. Located in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,159 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College generally make around $35,839. That is a strong return on a $14,024 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
