2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region

[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/financial-analytics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Value graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Value graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,103. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,094. Value graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #6 position for value in value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,013. Value graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.