2026 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Educational/Instructional Technology](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/educational-instructional-technology/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 96 schools to find the best return on investment for educational/instructional technology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the educational/instructional technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools
Florida Atlantic University tops our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational/instructional technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $42,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for educational/instructional technology. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in educational/instructional technology will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $20,488. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $62,599. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in educational/instructional technology will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #5. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $62,483. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida came in at #6 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $54,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $7,018. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $35,035. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Western Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope came in at #9 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,885, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $15,117. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #11 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $25,122. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #12 position for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $28,661. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $68,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $24,291. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Georgia landed the #14 spot for educational/instructional technology value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $65,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #17 spot for educational/instructional technology value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $48,024. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of West Alabama placed #18 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $55,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #19 spot for educational/instructional technology value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $64,530. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #20 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $50,203 early in their careers. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #21 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $40,786. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia came in at #22 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $67,652. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Jacksonville State University landed the #23 spot for educational/instructional technology value this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $24,751. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $56,840. Set against $24,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Georgia State University placed #24 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $71,679. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #25 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s educational/instructional technology 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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
