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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

311 Ranked Colleges
163,228 Degrees Awarded
$5,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

With 556,813 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 163,228 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,841 and $16,920 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 311 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies 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 liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. 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 Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $-927 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Duke University

2

Out of the 311 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 470 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,632 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USF Tampa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USF Tampa Liberal Arts General Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,729 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Liberal Arts General Studies Report

4
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indian River State College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Indian River State College is a public institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,841 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indian River State College

5
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 51 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, NC State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,448 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at NC State

6
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts 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 4,062 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Palm Beach State College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Palm Beach State College is $9,727 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Palm Beach State College

7
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. American Military University is a large school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 1,837 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, American Military University has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $10,885 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full American Public University System Liberal Arts General Studies Report

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 296 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $7,349 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida State University

9
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #9, Forsyth Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Forsyth Technical Community College is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 529 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Forsyth Tech also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Forsyth Technical Community College is $4,831 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Forsyth Technical Community College

10

Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 3,217 students in 2020-2021.

FSCJ excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $3,502 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida State College at Jacksonville

11

Wallace Community College, Dothan did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Dothan, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 331 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wallace, Dothan is $1,769 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Wallace Community College, Dothan

12
Tallahassee Community College crest
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Tallahassee Community College is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,197 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,504 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Tallahassee Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Tallahassee Community College

13
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Valencia College is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 7,810 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Valencia College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Valencia College is $5,637 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Valencia College

14

With a ranking of #14, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hillsborough Community College is a fairly large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 3,242 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

HCC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend HCC is $6,712 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at HCC

15
Cleveland Community College crest
Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

Cleveland Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cleveland Community College is a small school located in Shelby, North Carolina that handed out 260 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland Community College excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland Community College is $231 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cleveland Community College

16

Florida International University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 459 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida International University

17

Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Annandale, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,606 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Northern Virginia Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $8,407 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

18
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized school located in Salisbury, North Carolina that handed out 490 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $2,833 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

19

University of Central Florida came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 424 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $6,256 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCF Liberal Arts General Studies Report

20
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

With a ranking of #20, St Petersburg College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Clearwater, Florida, this large public school handed out 3,158 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at St Petersburg College

21
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,679 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Technical Community College excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Wake Technical Community College is $4,842 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Wake Technical Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

22
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Huntington, West Virginia, and it awarded 191 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Marshall University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marshall University is $6,254 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Marshall University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

23
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it awarded 844 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

FTCC excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville Technical Community College is $4,223 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at FTCC

24
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #24, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FAU is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 426 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,262 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FAU.

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 Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida Atlantic University

25

Eastern Florida State College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cocoa, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 1,829 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Florida State College is $5,001 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at EFSC

Rest of the Best 47 in Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 47 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina
27
28
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina
29
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Walters State Community College
Morristown, Tennessee
30
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina
31
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
32
RCC crest
Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina
33
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky
34
Pensacola State crest
Pensacola State College
Pensacola, Florida
35
36
37
38
Aiken Technical College crest
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, South Carolina
39
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina
40
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43
MTC crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, South Carolina
44
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina
45
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Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
46
47
College of the Albemarle crest
College of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

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References

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