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2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

85 Ranked Colleges
3,025 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. 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” ranking analyzed 85 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree nursing students.

Top 28 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region

#1

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Union University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Union not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Union University are $10,671, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Union University

#2

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Adventist University landed the #2 spot on the list. Southern Adventist is located in Collegedale, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Adventist are $11,700.

Full Southern Adventist University Nursing Report

#3

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern Mississippi. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896.

Read more about Nursing at Southern Miss

#3

Hampton University

Hampton, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hampton University landed the #3 spot on the list. Hampton, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Hampton also took the #16 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hampton are $13,134, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Hampton

#4

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Anderson University South Carolina. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Anderson University South Carolina is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anderson, South Carolina. It awarded 13 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University South Carolina are $11,178, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Anderson University South Carolina Nursing Report

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Alabama landed the #5 spot on the list. University of South Alabama is a public institution located in Mobile, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 166 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 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 USA are $16,112.

Read more about Nursing at University of South Alabama

#6

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama

Samford University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 95 students in 2019-2020.

Samford also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Samford are $21,227, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Samford University Nursing Report

#15 in overall quality

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is a public institution located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree nursing students list, UAMS has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UAMS are $17,652, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Nursing Report

#8

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner - Webb University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. This small school is located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, and it awarded 20 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 Gardner - Webb University are $9,050.

Read full report on Nursing at Gardner - Webb

#9

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

With a ranking of #9, Medical University of South Carolina did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, this small public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

MUSC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Medical University of South Carolina are $25,673, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at MUSC

#10

Frontier Nursing University

Hyden, Kentucky

Frontier Nursing University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Frontier Nursing University is located in Hyden, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 196 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Frontier Nursing University also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Frontier Nursing University are $20,292.

Full Frontier Nursing University Nursing Report

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this small public school awarded 82 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UTHSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTHSC are $24,430, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center Nursing Report

#12

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #12, East Carolina University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Carolina University are $20,685, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full ECU Nursing Report

#13

Mississippi University for Women

Columbus, Mississippi

Mississippi University for Women ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Columbus, Mississippi, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MUW are $7,525, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full MUW Nursing Report

Arkansas State University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. A-State is a public institution located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Arkansas State University - Main Campus are $11,586, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Arkansas State University - Main Campus

University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, this large public school handed out 113 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAB, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alabama at Birmingham are $19,188, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of Alabama at Birmingham

#15

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, West Virginia

West Virginia Wesleyan College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #15. Buckhannon, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia Wesleyan are $12,982, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full West Virginia Wesleyan College Nursing Report

#16

Palm Beach Atlantic University

West Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach Atlantic University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a small school located in West Palm Beach, Florida that handed out 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Palm Beach Atlantic are $11,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Palm Beach Atlantic Nursing Report

#17

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349.

Read full report on Nursing at Liberty University

#18

Jacksonville University

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. This small school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Jacksonville University are $14,742, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full JU Nursing Report

University of Central Arkansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. UCA is a fairly large school located in Conway, Arkansas that handed out 6 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 Arkansas are $11,648.

Read more about Nursing at University of Central Arkansas

#20

Barry University

Miami, Florida

Barry University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Barry University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Barry University are $17,910, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Barry University

#21

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. NKU is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 66 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 NKU are $17,358.

Read full report on Nursing at Northern Kentucky University

#22

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 101 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students 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 UNC Greensboro Nursing Report

#23

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

With a ranking of #23, Augusta University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Augusta, Georgia, and it awarded 42 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Nursing at Augusta University

#24

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UNF is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 110 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

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

Read more about Nursing at UNF

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #25. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at USF Tampa

Florida International University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #17 spot 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 Florida International University are $24,211.

Read more about Nursing at FIU

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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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