2027 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in the Southeast Region
[Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented](/majors/education/special-education/teaching-the-gifted-and-talented/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education/teaching of the gifted & talented education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for education/teaching of the gifted & talented students.
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2027 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools
Leading the list is Western Kentucky University, our #1 best value for education/teaching of the gifted & talented in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $41,775. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Mississippi Main Campus one of the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $50,720. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $28,381 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $43,891. Set against $28,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #5. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $20,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,376. Set against $20,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented 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. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $54,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Augusta University came in at #7 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $56,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $27,004. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #9 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,061 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $49,123 early in their careers. Set against $28,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #10 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $26,602. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $47,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
George Mason University earned the #11 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $62,342. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $47,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University earned the #13 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $25,079. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Set against $25,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #14 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #15 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $22,859. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
College Of Charleston ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $24,025. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Piedmont College landed the #17 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,700. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $29,975 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $52,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University placed #18 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $29,451. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Regent University earn a median of $53,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #19 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $51,798. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mississippi College placed #20 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $25,510. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,510 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Liberty University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. Set against $29,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #22 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $55,480 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Elon University came in at #23 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
