2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southeast Region. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $28,000. Value graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of South Alabama, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,513. Value graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
William Carey University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $85,666. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Value graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Value graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Universitysavannah Online earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the city of Savannah, South Universitysavannah Online is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,895. Students borrow a median of $49,281 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $86,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Liberty University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $77,120. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
