by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a degree. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard. This list is proof that you shouldn't avoid normally high-priced schools, since the actual price may be very affordable if you qualify for financial aid.
In This Year's Value Report:
After analyzing 673 schools in the Southeast Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best value programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best value schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
To calculate the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking, we first consider its average net price of students from families making $30-$48k a year. The net price is the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that that the student receives. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how much it costs.
To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.
You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.
Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Duke University tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $30-$48k) school in the Southeast Region for overall quality. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is Duke University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $4,301.
The quality degree programs at University of Florida helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region. This large public school is located in Gainesville, Florida.
University of Florida has the honor of being ranked #1 in Florida for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,385.
A rank of #3 on our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list means Washington and Lee University is a great place for students working on their degree. Washington and Lee is located in Lexington, Virginia and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Washington and Lee University has the honor of being ranked #3 in Virginia for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $743.
The quality degree programs at Vanderbilt University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee.
Not only is Vanderbilt University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $7,456.
The quality degree programs at University of Virginia - Main Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the school is a large public institution.
Not only is University of Virginia - Main Campus a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Virginia for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $7,775.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. This large public school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is ranked #2 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $7,842.
Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Value Report
Florida International University landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida.
Florida International University has the honor of being ranked #5 in Florida for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $4,163.
Southern Regional Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Thomasville, Georgia, the school is a small public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Southern Regional Technical College is ranked #16 for quality in the state of Georgia.
Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the school is a large public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Georgia. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,620.
Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Value Report
With a ranking of #10, William & Mary did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school located in Williamsburg, Virginia.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, William & Mary is ranked #5 for quality in the state of Virginia. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,717.
With a ranking of #11, Florida State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. This large public school is located in Tallahassee, Florida.
Not only is Florida State University a great value, but it is also ranked #2 in Florida for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $6,953.
With a ranking of #12, Emory University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the school is a fairly large private not-for-profit institution.
Emory University has the honor of being ranked #2 in Georgia for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $11,416.
Central Georgia Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Central Georgia Technical College is ranked #4 for quality in the state of Georgia. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $3,216.
Cleveland Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. Cleveland Community College is a public institution located in Shelby, North Carolina.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Cleveland Community College is ranked #17 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $863.
With a ranking of #15, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina State University has the honor of being ranked #3 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,687.
University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. This large public school is located in Tampa, Florida.
Not only is University of South Florida - Main Campus a great value, but it is also ranked #7 in Florida for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,209.
Wake Forest University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Wake Forest University has the honor of being ranked #4 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,337.
With a ranking of #18, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and has a large student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Central Florida is ranked #6 for quality in the state of Florida. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,073.
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. Ogeechee Technical College is a small public school situated in Statesboro, Georgia.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Ogeechee Technical College is ranked #7 for quality in the state of Georgia. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $3,935.
Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #20. FSCJ is a large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida.
Florida State College at Jacksonville has the honor of being ranked #17 in Florida for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $2,927.
Learn More About Value at Florida State College at Jacksonville
Northern Kentucky University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Northern Kentucky University is ranked #7 for quality in the state of Kentucky. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $2,609.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution located in Rome, Georgia.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is ranked #14 for quality in the state of Georgia. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $3,207.
Read full value report on Georgia Northwestern Technical College
With a ranking of #23, Durham Technical Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region list. Durham Technical Community College is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Durham Technical Community College is ranked #22 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $1,105.
Learn More About Value at Durham Technical Community College
West Georgia Technical College landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. West Georgia Technical College is a public institution located in Waco, Georgia.
West Georgia Technical College has the honor of being ranked #24 in Georgia for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $1,552.
Wallace Community College, Dothan came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking. Dothan, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Wallace Community College, Dothan is ranked #11 for quality in the state of Alabama. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $910.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Best Value
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | Memphis, TN | Value Report |
| 52 | Lanier Technical College | Gainesville, GA | Value Report |
| 53 | Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | Value Report |
| 54 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | Value Report |
| 55 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | Value Report |
| 56 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | Value Report |
| 57 | Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | Value Report |
| 58 | Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa, FL | Value Report |
| 59 | Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | Value Report |
| 60 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | Value Report |
| 61 | Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | Value Report |
| 61 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | Value Report |
| 63 | Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem, NC | Value Report |
| 64 | Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | Value Report |
| 65 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | Value Report |
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Midlands Technical College | West Columbia, SC | Value Report |
| 92 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | Value Report |
| 93 | Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | Value Report |
| 94 | Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville, AR | Value Report |
| 95 | The University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | Value Report |
| 96 | Southwest Mississippi Community College | Summit, MS | Value Report |
| 97 | Greenville Technical College | Greenville, SC | Value Report |
| 98 | Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | Value Report |
| 99 | Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | Value Report |
| 100 | Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville, AL | Value Report |
| 101 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers | Malvern, AR | Value Report |
All Majors and Fields of Study >
These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region ranking:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | Piedmont Community College | Roxboro, NC | Value Report |
| 103 | Aiken Technical College | Graniteville, SC | Value Report |
| 103 | Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton, SC | Value Report |
| 105 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | Value Report |
| 106 | Georgia State University-Perimeter College | Atlanta, GA | Value Report |
| 107 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC | Value Report |
| 108 | Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro, NC | Value Report |
| 108 | Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey, FL | Value Report |
| 110 | Sewanee - The University of the South | Sewanee, TN | Value Report |
| 111 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | Value Report |
| 112 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Value Report |
| 113 | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | Value Report |
| 114 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | Value Report |
| 115 | University of Mississippi | University, MS | Value Report |
| 115 | Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg, FL | Value Report |
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
