by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the Southeast Region? Our ranking highlights 1216 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 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 1216 schools to produce this 2027 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 1216 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 earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the Southeast Region. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place 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. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $17,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in the Southeast Region. 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.
Out of the 1216 schools in the Southeast Region in this year's value ranking, St Petersburg College landed the #4 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.
A rank of #5 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values in the Southeast Region. 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.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #6 among the best values in the Southeast Region. 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.
Indian River State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Fort Pierce, FL, Indian River State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their program here. Indian River State College alumni report median earnings of $38,315 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #8 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.
North Florida Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Trident Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. 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.
Florida State College At Jacksonville offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. 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.
Chipola College landed the #13 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.
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #14 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. 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.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Set in Spartanburg, SC, Spartanburg Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. 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.
Johnston Community College landed the #17 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. Johnston Community College is a public school based in Smithfield, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt is $9,490. Median earnings reach $37,310 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Avon Park, FL, South Florida State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. South Florida State College students take on a median of $8,204 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,990 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #19 among the best values in the Southeast Region. 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 #20 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 #21 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.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #22 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. This public school is set in Marietta, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,138 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Pensacola State College placed #23 among the best values in the Southeast Region. 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.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #24 spot for value in the Southeast Region this year. Located in Bowling Green, KY, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Graduates carry a median of $12,068 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,242. Set against $12,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 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.
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:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 176 | Louisiana State University Alexandria | Alexandria, LA | Value Report |
| 177 | Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro, GA | Value Report |
| 178 | Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | Value Report |
| 179 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | Value Report |
| 180 | Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon, VA | Value Report |
| 181 | Northeast State Community College | Blountville, TN | Value Report |
| 182 | Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | Value Report |
| 183 | Lanier Technical College | Gainesville, GA | Value Report |
Also worth considering for the money:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 234 | H Councill Trenholm State Technical College | Montgomery, AL | Value Report |
| 235 | Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe, LA | Value Report |
| 236 | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | Value Report |
| 237 | The University Of Tennessee Martin | Martin, TN | Value Report |
| 238 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | Value Report |
| 239 | Morehead State University | Morehead, KY | Value Report |
| 240 | University Of South Carolina Union | Union, SC | Value Report |
| 241 | Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | Value Report |
| 242 | Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | Value Report |
| 243 | Mcdowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | Value Report |
| 244 | University Of Georgia | Athens, GA | Value Report |
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1216 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1216 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.