2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region

[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Florida Atlantic University the best value for a degree in value in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Value graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #2 place for value. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Value graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #4 place for value. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,488. Value graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
New College Of Florida earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,916, while out-of-state students pay about $29,944. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,407. Early-career value graduates make about $26,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $32,416. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Value graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #11 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Value graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Broward College came in at #12 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,110. Early-career value graduates make about $51,328. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,004. Early-career value graduates make about $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.
East Carolina University placed #16 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Value graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Value graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. Set against $24,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Value graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Duke University placed #22 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Value graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #23 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $70,246. That is a strong return on a $22,845 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.