2027 Best Secondary Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Secondary Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for secondary education students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Secondary Education in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall secondary education education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Secondary Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in secondary education. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 21 secondary education degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
Read more about the secondary education program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 secondary education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $50,383 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Read more about the secondary education program at Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #3. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 19 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,951. Students borrow a median of $19,489 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for Florida Gulf Coast University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the top schools for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 78 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $50,686. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Central Florida
A rank of #5 makes Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University one of the top schools for secondary education. This large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 15 secondary education degrees were awarded at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $50,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Clemson University placed #6 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 83 secondary education degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $25,783 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Clemson University
West Virginia University came in at #7 for secondary education this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 23 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $41,214 early in their careers. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $24,621 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for West Virginia University
Auburn University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $47,618 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
Get the full secondary education details for Auburn University
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. University Of North Florida graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of North Florida awarded about 21 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of North Florida earn around $48,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for University Of North Florida
The University Of Alabama came in at #10 for secondary education this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 81 secondary education degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $47,876 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for The University Of Alabama
University Of Arkansas landed the #11 spot for secondary education this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $49,641 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,141.
See the full secondary education program report for University Of Arkansas
Samford University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 11 secondary education degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $46,164 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for Samford University
Georgia College And State University earned the #13 position for secondary education this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Georgia College And State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Georgia College And State University in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $50,511 early in their careers. Georgia College And State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Georgia College And State University
University Of West Georgia landed the #14 spot for secondary education this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. University Of West Georgia awarded about 101 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $50,204. University Of West Georgia graduates carry a median of $25,217 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for University Of West Georgia
Shepherd University came in at #15 for secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 24 secondary education degrees were awarded at Shepherd University in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Shepherd University earn around $46,549 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Shepherd University
Tennessee Technological University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 41 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $39,034. Students borrow a median of $14,566 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Tennessee Technological University
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #17 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $43,172 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Lafayette. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 16 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn around $44,154 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,502.
See the full secondary education program report for University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Old Dominion University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 40 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $53,989 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Old Dominion University
Kennesaw State University earned the #20 position for secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Kennesaw State University awarded about 132 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Kennesaw State University earn around $63,630 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Kennesaw State University
Louisiana Tech University landed the #21 spot for secondary education this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Louisiana Tech University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $45,143. Typical student debt for the program is $23,600.
See the full secondary education program report for Louisiana Tech University
Mercer University landed the #22 spot for secondary education this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 secondary education degrees were awarded at Mercer University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $53,846 early in their careers. Mercer University graduates carry a median of $47,750 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for Mercer University
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #23 position for secondary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Huntsville awarded about 13 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $54,661. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville
University Of Kentucky ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 13 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $42,048 in their early career. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of Kentucky
Mississippi State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Mississippi State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 94 secondary education degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Mississippi State University earn around $40,198 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full secondary education program report for Mississippi State University
Rest of the Top 50 Secondary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong secondary education education:
Narrow Secondary Education Schools by State
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 55 schools evaluated.
- 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.