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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

38 Ranked Colleges
930 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 4,954 people earned their degree in geography, making the major the 159th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 930 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree in geography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography 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 geography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The geography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 97 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $2,857 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geography at UF

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $5,729 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Geography Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $5,632 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geography at USF Tampa

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 16 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,349 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State University Geography Report

5
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Georgia. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 30 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,688 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UGA.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geography at UGA

6
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University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Richmond is a small school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

URichmond did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend URichmond is $8,606 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 93%. 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.

Full URichmond Geography Report

7
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $14,003 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geography at Virginia Tech

8
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,940 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Appalachian State Geography Report

9
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 21 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $13,424 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Full UK Geography Report

10
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #10, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 4 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida Atlantic University is $8,262 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Geography at FAU

11

With a ranking of #11, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $15,403 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Louisiana State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, 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%.

Read full report on Geography at Louisiana State University

12

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $13,970 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Geography at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

13
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James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. James Madison University is a large school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 63 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,985 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend James Madison University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full JMU Geography Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Geography at Florida International University

15
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West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, WVU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $10,250 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geography at WVU

16

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNC Charlotte is a large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 44 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Charlotte, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Charlotte is $13,226 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Geography Report

17

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

UNC Greensboro also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Greensboro is $9,190 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Geography Report

18

University of North Alabama ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Florence, Alabama, and it awarded 11 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UNA also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $11,480 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNA.

Read full report on Geography at UNA

19
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. George Mason University is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 33 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,979 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GMU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Full George Mason University Geography Report

20
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University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

UARK also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arkansas is $13,690 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Geography at University of Arkansas

21

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. UofSC is a large school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 28 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,404 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UofSC.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UofSC Geography Report

22
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University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #22, University of Mary Washington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, this small public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

UMW also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Mary Washington is $16,459 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at University of Mary Washington

23
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,029 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read more about Geography at ECU

24
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University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky

University of Louisville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UofL is a large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofL, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,725 for southeast region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Louisville.

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%.

Full UofL Geography Report

25
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #25, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Old Dominion is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,574 for Southeast Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Old Dominion University.

Read more about Geography at Old Dominion University

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