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2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

84 Ranked Colleges
4,785 Degrees Awarded
$7,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 28,837 people earned their degree in general economics, making the major the 29th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 4,785 general economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 84 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general economics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Economics (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $3,176 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt General Economics Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 362 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNC Chapel Hill General Economics Report

3
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 330 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $65 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Florida.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about General Economics at University of Florida

4
Washington and Lee crest
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington and Lee University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 63 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Washington and Lee has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee is $205 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Economics at Washington and Lee

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 106 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wake Forest University has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,401 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full Wake Forest University General Economics Report

6
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #6, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 528 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $12,476 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on General Economics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

7
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 127 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,972 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary General Economics Report

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 271 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $4,950 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about General Economics at Florida State

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 195 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $4,176 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at USF Tampa

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about General Economics at Virginia Tech

11

With a ranking of #11, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 160 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,196 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida International University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Economics at Florida International University

12
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 42 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $7,283 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Carolina State University General Economics Report

13
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 78 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $8,303 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at University of Georgia

14

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 14 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $11,318 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on General Economics at Louisiana State University

15

University of Central Florida landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Central Florida is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 49 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,468 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCF.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Economics at UCF

16

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,433 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Economics at UT Knoxville

17
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 38 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $7,354 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Appalachian State

18
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 71 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $6,726 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Florida Atlantic University

19
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Florida is a fairly large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 19 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,367 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNF General Economics Report

20

The University of West Florida came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 11 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,288 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read more about General Economics at The University of West Florida

21
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 56 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,593 for Southeast Region General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UK.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Kentucky General Economics Report

22
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

With a ranking of #22, Clemson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 145 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,744 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Clemson.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on General Economics at Clemson

23

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UofSC is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 96 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofSC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,130 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Economics at UofSC

24
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 48 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,556 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Military Institute.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at VMI

25
Hendrix crest
Hendrix College
Conway, Arkansas

Hendrix College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hendrix is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Conway, Arkansas. It awarded 18 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Hendrix College is $12,822 for southeast region general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at Hendrix

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