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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

474 Ranked Colleges
77,470 Degrees Awarded
$4,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 77,470 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,632 and $24,151 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 474 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

1
Duke crest
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 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 ’s nursing degrees to 573 students in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $-927 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Nursing at Duke

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 424 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $4,652 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Vanderbilt

3
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 474 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #3 spot on the list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 294 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $2,857 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Florida.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at UF

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Regional Technical College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Thomasville, Georgia, this small public school handed out 105 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Southwest Georgia Technical College is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Georgia Technical College is $-912 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Full Southern Regional Technical College Nursing Report

5
Trident Technical College crest
Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Trident Technical College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Trident Technical College is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 191 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Trident Technical College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Trident Technical College is $176 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Trident Technical College

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 34 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wake Forest University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $5,612 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University Nursing Report

7
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 571 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory also made our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $8,976 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Emory

8

With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 209 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,729 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

9
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Palm Beach State College is a large public school situated in Lake Worth, Florida. It awarded 349 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Palm Beach State College also did well on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Palm Beach State College is $9,727 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at Palm Beach State College

10

With a ranking of #10, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 803 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, USF Tampa is in the top on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,632 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USF Tampa Nursing Report

11
Pensacola State crest
Pensacola State College
Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola State College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pensacola State College is a medium-sized school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 273 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pensacola State College is $2,597 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Pensacola State College

12

With a ranking of #12, Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State College at Jacksonville is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 647 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, FSCJ also did well on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $3,502 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FSCJ.

Read more about Nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville

13

With a ranking of #13, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 503 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

FIU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,882 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida International University.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at FIU

14

The University of West Florida landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 543 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UWF is in the top on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for The University of West Florida is $3,827 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at UWF

15
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indian River State College is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Pierce, Florida. It awarded 267 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $3,595 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Indian River State College

16

Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Marietta, Georgia, this medium-sized public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,935 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Chattahoochee Technical College.

Read more about Nursing at Chattahoochee Technical College

17
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 388 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Valencia College also did well on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $5,637 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Valencia College Nursing Report

18
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 688 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,769 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SPC.

Read more about Nursing at SPC

19

West Georgia Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Waco, Georgia, this medium-sized public school handed out 52 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,464 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend West Georgia Technical College.

Read more about Nursing at West Georgia Technical College

20
CGTC crest
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia

With a ranking of #20, Central Georgia Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Warner Robins, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Georgia Technical College is $2,341 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at CGTC

21
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Miami Dade College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 843 students in 2020-2021.

MDC excels when it comes to nursing quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend MDC is $5,370 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at Miami Dade College

22

Wallace Community College, Dothan did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Wallace, Dothan is a public institution located in Dothan, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wallace Community College, Dothan is $1,769 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Wallace Community College, Dothan Nursing Report

23
GCSC crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, Florida

With a ranking of #23, Gulf Coast State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. GCSC is a small school located in Panama City, Florida that handed out 157 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Gulf Coast State College is $4,990 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Gulf Coast State College Nursing Report

24
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 150 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Florida State is in the top on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $7,349 for Southeast Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State Nursing Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 235 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for HCC is $6,712 for southeast region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full HCC Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia
28
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
29
30
31
NFC crest
North Florida College
Madison, Florida
32
33
34
Chipola crest
Chipola College
Marianna, Florida
35
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky
36
FGC crest
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, Florida
37
38
39
Tallahassee Community College crest
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, Florida
40
41
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
42
43
PHSC crest
Pasco-Hernando State College
New Port Richey, Florida
44
Coahoma Community College crest
Coahoma Community College
Clarksdale, Mississippi
45
WCC crest
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, Virginia
46
47
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia
48
49
50
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury, NC
52Hinds Community CollegeRaymond, MS
53Marshall UniversityHuntington, WV
54Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia, SC
55Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville, SC
56Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
57Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson, NC
58Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort Myers, FL
59Florence-Darlington Technical CollegeFlorence, SC
60Southern Crescent Technical CollegeGriffin, GA
61Spartanburg Community CollegeSpartanburg, SC
62Columbus Technical CollegeColumbus, GA
63Southwest Mississippi Community CollegeSummit, MS
64Reynolds Community CollegeRichmond, VA
65Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte, NC
RankCollegeLocation
66Richmond Community CollegeHamlet, NC
67Southwest Tennessee Community CollegeMemphis, TN
68North Georgia Technical CollegeClarkesville, GA
69Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway, SC
70Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville, SC
71Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville, NC
72Holmes Community CollegeGoodman, MS

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Notes and References

References

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