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 St Petersburg College this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #2 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes South Piedmont Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of South Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,693. Early-career value graduates make about $58,249. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Value graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for value graduates is $32,294. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $49,622. That is a strong return on a $32,294 median debt.
Marshall University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Value graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #8 for value in value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,501. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $36,124. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Southern University landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,500. Value graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #11 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,162. Value graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #12 position for value in value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,747 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $56,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #13 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Regent University earn a median of $67,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide placed #14 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $94,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Ecpi University placed #15 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. Value graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $48,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
James Madison University came in at #16 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Charleston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $64,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #18 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,326 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $32,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
