2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/online-educator-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Louisiana Tech University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,600 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. Set against $23,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Value graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Value graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $42,657 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,229. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $59,279. Set against $18,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of West Georgia earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $25,217 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,432. Set against $25,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennesaw State University earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value 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.
Mississippi College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $23,021 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
Anderson University Sc earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of $49,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
