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2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

372 Colleges
$34,328 Avg Salary
$20,384 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best School for You

After analyzing 372 schools in the Southeast Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best associate degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.

Better Early-Career Average Salaries

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. Recent students who earned a associate degree in the Southeast Region entered the job market making an average of $34,328 while those in the top 19 schools on our list made an average of $40,794.

Starting Salary  ( 28732 to 47139 )
$0
$54,506

Student Loan Borrowing

Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well. During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in the Southeast Region take out an average of $20,384. We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.

Additional Ranking Factors We Use

In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking. These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.

Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology

Other Rankings

Bachelor's Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Master's Degree Rankings Grad School Rankings
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Grad School Rankings
Overall Best Colleges Ranking Overall Rankings
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Top Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
SEU crest
Southeastern University
Lakeland, Florida
197 Associate Degrees Awarded
$13,145 Average Student Debt

Our 2024 rankings named Southeastern University the best school in the Southeast Region in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Located in Lakeland, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 197 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,145 after getting their degree.

Learn More About Southeastern University

2
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
125 Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,537 Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,167 Average Student Debt

A rank of #2 on our Best Associate Degree in the Southeast Region list means North Carolina State University is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 125 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from NC State go into careers with an average salary of $35,537 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,167 after getting their degree.

Full North Carolina State University Report

3
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia
3,411 Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,331 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,979 Average Student Debt

A rank of #3 on our Best Associate Degree in the Southeast Region list means American Public University System is a great place for students working on their degree. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 3,411 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from American Military University is $38,331 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $19,979 in student loans.

Read full report on American Public University System

4
38 Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,944 Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,074 Average Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Daytona Beach, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach go into careers with an average salary of $52,944 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,074 after getting their degree.

Learn More About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

5
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
30 Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,436 Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,000 Average Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Tech. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Virginia Tech is $33,436 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,000 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $291 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Virginia Tech

6
Columbia Southern University crest
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama
1,582 Associate Degrees Awarded
$50,040 Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,519 Average Student Debt

Columbia Southern University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,582 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Graduates with a associate degree from Columbia Southern University make an average of $50,040 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $18,519.

Read full report on Columbia Southern University

7
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale crest
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
3,334 Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,693 Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,140 Average Student Debt

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It awarded 3,334 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $32,693 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $26,140 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $160 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

8
Southern Adventist crest
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee
142 Associate Degrees Awarded
$51,554 Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,250 Average Student Debt

Southern Adventist University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Southern Adventist is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegedale, Tennessee. It awarded 142 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $51,554 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $21,250.

Full Southern Adventist University Report

9
1,858 Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,207 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,834 Average Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Florida came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Ocala, Florida. It awarded 1,858 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Rasmussen University - Florida go into careers with an average salary of $39,207 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $25,834. This translates to an average monthly payment of $175 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Learn More About Rasmussen University - Florida

10
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
2,049 Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,474 Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,372 Average Student Debt

ECPI University landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 2,049 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $34,474 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $23,372 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $106 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Full ECPI University Report

11
206 Associate Degrees Awarded
$26,084 Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,982 Average Student Debt

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. JWU Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 206 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $26,084 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,982 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $314 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

12
224 Associate Degrees Awarded

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Tampa, Florida, the large public school handed out 224 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Report

13
416 Associate Degrees Awarded

University of Central Florida landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Central Florida is a large public school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 416 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Learn More About University of Central Florida

14
23 Associate Degrees Awarded
$28,312 Average Student Debt

Florida Institute of Technology landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Melbourne, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Associate students leave the school with an average of $28,312 in student loans.

Read full report on Florida Institute of Technology

15
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
187 Associate Degrees Awarded

Florida State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #15. This large public school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 187 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Florida State University Report

16
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
113 Associate Degrees Awarded
$54,506 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,420 Average Student Debt

Marshall University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Huntington, West Virginia, and it awarded 113 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Marshall University go into careers with an average salary of $54,506 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $24,420 after getting their degree.

Full Marshall University Report

17
6,023 Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,936 Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,412 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Northern Virginia Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,023 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College go into careers with an average salary of $37,936 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,412 in student loans.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Report

18
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia
48 Associate Degrees Awarded
$48,523 Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,250 Average Student Debt

Radford University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Radford is a medium-sized public school situated in Radford, Virginia. It awarded 48 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Radford is $48,523 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $30,250 in student loans.

Full Radford University Report

19
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
1,146 Associate Degrees Awarded
$29,174 Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,303 Average Student Debt

Liberty University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,146 students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Liberty University go into careers with an average salary of $29,174 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $28,303.

Learn More About Liberty University

20
370 Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,643 Average Early-Career Earnings

Savannah Technical College landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This small public school is located in Savannah, Georgia, and it awarded 370 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Savannah Tech make an average of $35,643 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Savannah Technical College

21
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
43 Associate Degrees Awarded
$50,394 Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,000 Average Student Debt

Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #21. This medium-sized public school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Tennessee State University make an average of $50,394 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $20,000 in student loans.

Full Tennessee State University Report

22
Nicholls State University crest
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, Louisiana
141 Associate Degrees Awarded
$54,415 Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,750 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Nicholls State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 141 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Nicholls State University make an average of $54,415 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $18,750.

Full Nicholls State University Report

23
Ogeechee Technical College crest
Ogeechee Technical College
Statesboro, Georgia
233 Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,787 Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,000 Average Student Debt

Ogeechee Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Ogeechee Technical College is a small public school located in Statesboro, Georgia that handed out 233 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Ogeechee Technical College go into careers with an average salary of $33,787 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $8,000.

Full Ogeechee Technical College Report

24
LMU crest
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, Tennessee
193 Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,407 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,323 Average Student Debt

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. LMU is located in Harrogate, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 193 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,407 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $17,323 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $86 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Lincoln Memorial University

25

Florida Polytechnic University landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.

Read full report on Florida Polytechnic University

Rest of the Top 50 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
West Liberty University Crest
West Liberty University
West Liberty, West Virginia
27
Union Crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee
28
GTC Crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, Georgia
29
30
31
32
Valencia College Crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida
33

34
CGTC Crest
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia

35
Brenau Crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, Georgia
36
37
BC Crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
38
RBC Crest
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
South Prince George, Virginia
39
Savannah State University Crest
Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia
40
Trident Technical College Crest
Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina
41
UNG Crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
42
Wake Technical Community College Crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina
43
WKU Crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

44

45
46
Bob Jones University Crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina
47
Lanier Technical College Crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, Georgia
48
Palm Beach State College Crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida
49
50

View Best Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Rest of the Top 15% Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

RankCollegeLocation
51Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
52Herzing University - BirminghamBirmingham, AL
53Shorter UniversityRome, GA
54Gardner - Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC
55Catawba Valley Community CollegeHickory, NC
56NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
57Cleveland Community CollegeShelby, NC
58Beaufort County Community CollegeWashington, NC
59University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY
60Sullivan UniversityLouisville, KY
61Jackson State Community CollegeJackson, TN
62Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort Myers, FL
63Tallahassee Community CollegeTallahassee, FL
64Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
65Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte, NC
66Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL
67Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN
68University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR
69Santa Fe CollegeGainesville, FL
70Jefferson State Community CollegeBirmingham, AL
71Athens Technical CollegeAthens, GA
RankCollegeLocation
72DeVry University - GeorgiaDecatur, GA
73Delgado Community CollegeNew Orleans, LA
74Johnston Community CollegeSmithfield, NC
75Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA

More Rankings >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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