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2027 Best Best Schools in the Southeast Region

60 Colleges in the United States
2,616 Best Degrees Awarded
$46,745 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Best in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1

Leading the list is Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, our #1 school for best. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 best students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #2 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 14 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $52,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from James Madison University

3
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 88 best degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $58,249 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Florida State University

4

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 126 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $56,264 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,747. See the full best program report for George Mason University

5

The University Of Tampa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tampa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $45,401 in their early career. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $25,191 in student loans. Get the full best details for The University Of Tampa

6

Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 best students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $52,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. Get the full best details for Florida International University

7

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #7 spot for best this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,537. More information about a degree in best from University Of South Carolina Columbia

8

Kennesaw State University earned the #8 position for best this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. Kennesaw State University awarded about 336 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Typical student debt for the program is $27,004. Get the full best details for Kennesaw State University

9

University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for best this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Central Florida

10

Hillsborough Community College placed #10 among the best best schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. About 16 best degrees were awarded at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Hillsborough Community College earn around $44,101 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Hillsborough Community College

11
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at Lynn University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $50,569 early in their careers. Lynn University graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Lynn University

12

Georgia Southern University landed the #12 spot for best this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Georgia Southern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Georgia Southern University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Georgia Southern University

13

Florida Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Florida Institute Of Technology graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 best students who graduated with this degree at Florida Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $32,114. See the full best program report for Florida Institute Of Technology

14

West Virginia University came in at #14 for best this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 139 best degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from West Virginia University earn around $59,347 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,324 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from West Virginia University

15

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #15 for best this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 best degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $94,550. Typical student debt for the program is $20,787. Read more about the best program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

16

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #16 spot for best this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 71 best degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $43,085 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the best program at Virginia Commonwealth University

17

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #17 spot for best this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 95 best degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $28,173 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,046. Read more about the best program at Florida Gulf Coast University

18

Miami Dade College earned the #18 position for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. About 71 best degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Miami Dade College earn around $40,267 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Miami Dade College

19

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 27 best degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $39,956 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Middle Tennessee State University

20

Anderson University Sc came in at #20 for best this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Anderson University Sc awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,036 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,034. More information about a degree in best from Anderson University Sc

21

University Of The Cumberlands placed #21 among the best best schools. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 25 best degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. University Of The Cumberlands graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of The Cumberlands

22

Columbia Southern University landed the #22 spot for best this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 best students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Columbia Southern University earn around $63,650 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,447 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Columbia Southern University

23

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #23 position for best this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 32 best degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $55,413 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

24
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College placed #24 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Broward College awarded about 32 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $51,328 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,110. More information about a degree in best from Broward College

25

University Of Charleston came in at #25 for best this year. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. University Of Charleston awarded about 83 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $64,407. University Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of Charleston

Rest of the Top 50 Best Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong best education:

26
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
27
28
29
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL
30
31
32
33
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
34
35
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
36
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 60 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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