2026 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
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Old Dominion University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,001. Value graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Value graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
