2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 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
Florida Atlantic University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,212. Value graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for value. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,139. Value graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Miami Dade College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Value graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Value graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Florida State University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
New College Of Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. Students from in state pay about $6,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,407 in student loans. 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 came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Value graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University placed #12 among the best values for value. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Broward College earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,110. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. 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. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #15 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Lindsey Wilson College placed #16 among the best values for value. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,119. 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 landed the #17 spot for value value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,747. 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mississippi State University placed #18 among the best values for value. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,969. Value graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary earned the #19 position for value in value this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,935. Value graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
College Of Charleston landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,222. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #21 spot for value value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #22 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University placed #23 among the best values for value. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #24 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,074. Value graduates carry a median of $22,845 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $70,246. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
