2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among electrical engineering schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $21,544. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $95,682. Set against $21,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,600 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $67,895 early in their careers. Set against $19,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $76,520. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for electrical engineering. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $24,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $84,265. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #5 place for electrical engineering. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,880. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $87,042. Set against $26,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The University Of West Florida earned the #6 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,978 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $64,978. That is a strong return on a $17,978 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #7 for value in electrical engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $72,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida Polytechnic University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $21,004. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $70,375 early in their careers. Florida Polytechnic University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #9 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,601. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $68,285. That is a strong return on a $17,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
American Public University System landed the #10 spot for electrical engineering value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for electrical engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $97,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $71,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,662. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $74,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans earned the #15 position for value in electrical engineering this year. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Students borrow a median of $29,312 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,215. Set against $29,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #16 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $23,963. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $73,307. That is a strong return on a $23,963 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $28,375. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $75,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University placed #18 among the best values for electrical engineering. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $71,878. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #19 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $28,614 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $81,213 early in their careers. Set against $28,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #20 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,034. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $73,453. That is a strong return on a $20,034 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $74,931. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University came in at #22 for value in electrical engineering this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Norfolk State University earned the #23 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #24 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $23,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $71,137 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mississippi State University placed #25 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $80,896. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in electrical engineering:
Narrow Electrical Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.