2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k
266
Ranked Colleges
74,881
Degrees Awarded
$4,800
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 327,871 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 74,881 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,366 and $24,123 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 266 colleges that offered a degree in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Education Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
Out of the 266 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 135 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $371 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%.
Read full report on Education at Duke University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 346 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, Vanderbilt has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt is $3,176 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.
Full Vanderbilt Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 657 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UF also took the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UF is $65 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Florida Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 120 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Wake Forest University Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 244 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UNC Chapel Hill also took the #13 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read full report on Education at UNC Chapel Hill
University of Georgia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 832 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best 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 UGA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national 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 Education at UGA
University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 745 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,176 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USF Tampa.
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.
Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Education Report
Florida State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 576 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Florida State also made our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $4,950 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Florida State University
University of Central Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 1,635 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $4,468 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Education at University of Central Florida
University of Virginia - 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 Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school awarded 369 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $12,476 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Education at University of Virginia
North Carolina State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 607 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full North Carolina State University Education Report
William & Mary landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 156 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
William & Mary also claimed a top spot on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,972 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full William & Mary Education Report
Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 765 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, FIU also did well on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $3,196 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Full Florida International University Education Report
Appalachian State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 808 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $7,354 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Education at Appalachian State
St Petersburg College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 227 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SPC is $676 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full St Petersburg College Education Report
With a ranking of #16, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 326 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UNF also claimed a top spot on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $4,367 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.
Read full report on Education at University of North Florida
The University of West Florida came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 626 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend The University of West Florida is $4,288 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full The University of West Florida 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 #18. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 226 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,632 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NKU.
Full NKU Education Report
Palm Beach State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Palm Beach State College is a large school located in Lake Worth, Florida that handed out 58 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,452 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Palm Beach State College.
Read full report on Education at Palm Beach State College
Atlanta Technical College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this small public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Atlanta Area Tech is $-836 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.
Read full report on Education at Atlanta Technical College
Itawamba Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Itawamba Community College is a small public school situated in Fulton, Mississippi. It awarded 80 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend ICC is $3,289 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Education at ICC
Albany Technical College 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 small school is located in Albany, Georgia, and it awarded 61 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Albany Technical College is $84 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Education at Albany Technical College
Central Georgia Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Central Georgia Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Warner Robins, Georgia that handed out 54 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CGTC is $1,458 for southeast region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Central Georgia Technical College Education Report
Florida Atlantic University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 482 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,726 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FAU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Read full report on Education at FAU
Virginia Tech 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. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 276 students in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech also made our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $11,934 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 93%.
Read more about Education at Virginia Tech
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