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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

88 Ranked Colleges
3,025 Degrees Awarded
$26,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 313,362 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 74,467 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,095 and $26,787 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,025 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 88 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 140 students in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140.

Read full report on Nursing at Duke

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 73 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Vanderbilt University

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

UF also took the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of Florida

#4

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 88 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #4 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Nursing Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 61 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, FIU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

Read full report on Nursing at Florida International University

#6

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#3 in overall quality

Emory University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Emory University

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 67 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USF Tampa Nursing Report

#8

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida State University Nursing Report

#9

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 110 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930.

Full UNF Nursing Report

#10

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 26 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Nursing Report

#11

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 17 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Central Florida

#12

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 66 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Kentucky University are $17,358, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Kentucky University Nursing Report

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 28 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University are $30,153.

Full Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Nursing Report

#14

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 101 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Nursing Report

#15

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

With a ranking of #15, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fort Myers, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FGCU are $31,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Florida Gulf Coast University

#16

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Marshall University is a fairly large school located in Huntington, West Virginia that handed out 30 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162.

Full Marshall University Nursing Report

#17

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FAU is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 45 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida Atlantic University Nursing Report

#18

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Augusta, Georgia, this medium-sized public school awarded 42 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Augusta University Nursing Report

#19

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Frankfort, Kentucky, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kentucky State University are $12,650.

Full KY State Nursing Report

#20

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Shepherd University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Shepherd University are $12,402, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Shepherd University

#21

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Ole Miss

#22

Hampton University

Hampton, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

Hampton University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hampton University is located in Hampton, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Hampton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hampton University are $13,134, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Hampton

#23

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky

Murray State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Murray State is a medium-sized school located in Murray, Kentucky that handed out 27 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Murray State University are $14,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Murray State University

#24

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia

With a ranking of #24, Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 60 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

VCU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Commonwealth University are $29,228, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full VCU Nursing Report

#25

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern Mississippi is a fairly large school located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that handed out 30 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Southern Mississippi

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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