2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southeast Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
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
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,588. Value graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. Set against $11,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennesaw State University earned it the #2 place for value. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes Edward Waters College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,366. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,782 ten years after entry. Edward Waters College admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Regent University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Value graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $67,561. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,537 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Value graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Value graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $32,114. Value graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
