2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment 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
Clayton State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southeast Region. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Value graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Value graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $30,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Georgia State University one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Value graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Value graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $35,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes American Intercontinental University Atlanta one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Atlanta, American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,527. Students borrow a median of $37,625 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of American Intercontinental University Atlanta earn a median of $32,231 early in their careers. Set against $37,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Leo University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,476. Early-career value graduates make about $49,458. That is a strong return on a $30,476 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Bellarmine University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Value graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $30,930 early in their careers. Set against $25,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Newberry College placed #6 among the best values for value. Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,100. Students borrow a median of $27,729 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $43,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Sullivan University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for value graduates is $34,249. Value graduates of Sullivan University earn a median of $54,104 early in their careers. Set against $34,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 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.
