by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the Southeast Region? Our ranking highlights 656 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 656 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 656 schools in the Southeast Region to surface the strongest return on investment. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. See the full methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Explore the best values below:
University Of Florida Online earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the Southeast Region. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt is $17,779. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Out of the 656 schools in the Southeast Region in this year's value ranking, University Of Florida landed the #2 spot. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median program debt is $17,669. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
You'll get strong value at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Jacksonville, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,244 ten years after entry. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values in the Southeast Region. Based in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. The median program debt is $18,419. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,733. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 656 schools in the Southeast Region in this year's value ranking, St Petersburg College landed the #5 spot. St Petersburg College is a public school based in St. Petersburg, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $24,385. St Petersburg College alumni report median earnings of $42,557 a decade after entry. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Based in Rome, GA, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. The median program debt is $8,492. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,759. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Northeast Alabama Community College is a public school based in Rainsville, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Northeast Alabama Community College students take on a median of $7,459 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,913 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
Florida Gateway College placed #8 among the best values in the Southeast Region. Based in Lake City, FL, Florida Gateway College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt is $8,669. Florida Gateway College alumni report median earnings of $37,894 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Waycross, GA, Coastal Pines Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt is $5,812. Coastal Pines Technical College alumni report median earnings of $30,214 a decade after entry. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Pensacola State College is a public school based in Pensacola, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete their program here. Pensacola State College alumni report median earnings of $36,739 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Trident Technical College landed the #11 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. Set in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $18,116. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,253. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berea College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Berea College is a private not-for-profit school based in Berea, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,150. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Central Piedmont Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $11,861. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Durham, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt is $20,408. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. South Georgia Technical College is a public school based in Americus, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt is $10,423. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College placed #16 among the best values in the Southeast Region. Gulf Coast State College is a public school based in Panama City, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Gulf Coast State College students take on a median of $8,286 in debt. Gulf Coast State College alumni report median earnings of $38,359 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Chipola College landed the #17 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. Chipola College is a public school based in Marianna, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $9,097. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Madison, FL, North Florida Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. North Florida Community College students take on a median of $7,902 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,929 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Hillsborough Community College students take on a median of $16,142 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Southern Regional Technical College is a public school based in Thomasville, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. The median program debt is $9,086. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,293 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Wilkesboro, NC, Wilkes Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $9,125. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Based in Valdosta, GA, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Median earnings reach $30,864 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Waco, GA, West Georgia Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Median earnings reach $35,479 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #24 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public school based in Dothan, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,399. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College placed #25 among the best values in the Southeast Region. This public school is set in Sanford, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,525. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
These schools also placed among the top values this year — click any name to learn more:
Also worth considering for the money:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | Value Report |
| 123 | Haywood Community College | Clyde, NC | Value Report |
| 124 | Albany Technical College | Albany, GA | Value Report |
| 125 | Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | Value Report |
| 126 | Madisonville Community College | Madisonville, KY | Value Report |
| 127 | University Of South Florida Main Campus | Tampa, FL | Value Report |
| 128 | Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | Value Report |
*Averages shown above reflect the top 656 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 656 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.