2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science education students.
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2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science Education Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among science education schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $15,275. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,476. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for science education. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Science Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $51,543. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for science education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,516 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,524 early in their careers. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for science education. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $20,750. Science Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in science education will find it at University Of Mississippi Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $39,985 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #6 for value in science education this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,660. Science Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $40,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Western Carolina University landed the #7 spot for science education value this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,500. Early-career science education graduates make about $41,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #8 for value in science education this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $48,318. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Columbus State University landed the #9 spot for science education value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,040 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #10 spot for science education value this year. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $35,490. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #12 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $50,110. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgia State University placed #13 among the best values for science education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,687 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $57,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,687 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Louisville ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Science Education graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $56,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #15 for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $24,002. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University came in at #16 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $17,000. Science Education graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $40,538 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #17 spot for science education value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $22,859. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Mount Olive College placed #18 among the best values for science education. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,366. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,889. Early-career science education graduates make about $45,131. That is a strong return on a $26,889 median debt. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Piedmont College came in at #19 for value in science education this year. Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Demorest. In-state tuition and fees average $31,700. Students borrow a median of $29,975 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Piedmont College generally make around $55,865. Set against $29,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Greenville University placed #20 among the best values for science education. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,271 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $42,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #21 among the best values for science education. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Clemson University earned the #22 position for value in science education this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Science Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Auburn University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $23,600. Early-career science education graduates make about $60,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #24 position for value in science education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $58,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
