by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in the Southeast Region, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **357** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 357 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Duke University to be the best college in the Southeast Region. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Early-career graduates earn a median of $83,388. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $77,997. Vanderbilt University students take on a median of $13,975 in debt.
Out of the 357 colleges in the Southeast Region in this year's ranking, University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #3 spot. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $69,126. University Of Virginia Main Campus students take on a median of $18,627 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the top colleges in the Southeast Region. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Median early-career earnings reach $83,560. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus students take on a median of $24,323 in debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top colleges in the Southeast Region. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $61,361. Graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans.
Wake Forest University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $67,369. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
James Madison University landed the #7 spot in the Southeast Region this year. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Median early-career earnings reach $52,997. The median student debt is $21,218.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #8 among the best colleges in the Southeast Region. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete a degree here.
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #9 position. College Of William And Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,338. Typical student debt is $18,935.
University Of Richmond came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. University Of Richmond graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,815. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete a degree here.
Emory University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University graduates report median early-career earnings of $67,840. The median student debt is $19,431.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #12 spot in the Southeast Region this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans.
Washington And Lee University landed the #13 spot in the Southeast Region this year. Based in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Median early-career earnings reach $76,810. Washington And Lee University students take on a median of $20,074 in debt.
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,388. The median student debt is $17,669.
George Mason University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,131. George Mason University students take on a median of $23,529 in debt.
University Of Georgia came in at #16 in this year's ranking. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Median early-career earnings reach $53,546. Typical student debt is $21,792.
Davidson College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Davidson, NC, Davidson College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Davidson College graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,505. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete a degree here.
Elon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Elon, NC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Median early-career earnings reach $50,463. Typical student debt is $21,619.
Clemson University landed the #19 spot in the Southeast Region this year. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Median early-career earnings reach $53,834. Clemson University students take on a median of $23,783 in debt.
Florida State University placed #20 among the best colleges in the Southeast Region. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. Florida State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,884. Typical student debt is $20,488.
Auburn University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,422. Auburn University students take on a median of $22,803 in debt.
University Of Miami landed the #22 spot in the Southeast Region this year. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $17,750.
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,082. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete a degree here.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #24 in this year's ranking. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $54,087. Typical student debt is $24,472.
Samford University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Samford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Birmingham, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $64,132. Samford University students take on a median of $21,039 in debt.
These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
Explore the rest of the top 20% below:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC |
| 52 | Medical University Of South Carolina | Charleston, SC |
| 53 | University Of Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| 54 | Centre College | Danville, KY |
These colleges also performed well in our Best Colleges ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA |
| 56 | Randolph Macon College | Ashland, VA |
| 57 | Virginia Military Institute | Lexington, VA |
| 58 | University Of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL |
| 59 | Berry College | Mount Berry, GA |
| 60 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 61 | Citadel Military College Of South Carolina | Charleston, SC |
| 62 | University Of Alabama At Huntsville | Huntsville, AL |
| 63 | Florida Polytechnic University | Lakeland, FL |
| 64 | Longwood University | Farmville, VA |
| 65 | Galen College Of Nursing Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| 66 | Mercer University | Macon, GA |
| 67 | Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL |
| 68 | Roanoke College | Salem, VA |
| 69 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV |
| 71 | The University Of Tampa | Tampa, FL |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
