2026 Best Value Other Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Education Schools
For return on investment in other education, no school beat St Petersburg College this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Other Education graduates carry a median of $30,870 in student loans. Other Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $35,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,870 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for other education. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $18,419. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for other education. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the other education program here. Early-career other education graduates make about $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Johns River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other education, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, with out-of-state students paying around $9,334. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $16,293. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $47,807. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Palm Beach State College one of the best values for other education. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $12,518. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $42,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State University came in at #6 for value in other education this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $28,493. Early-career other education graduates make about $105,126. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Valencia College earned the #7 position for value in other education this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #8 for value in other education this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $22,465. Other Education graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $50,274 early in their careers. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #9 spot for other education value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Other Education graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Other Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of West Alabama earned the #10 position for value in other education this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $31,894. Early-career other education graduates make about $53,270. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Old Dominion University earned the #11 position for value in other education this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $75,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of West Georgia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value other education schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $26,789. Early-career other education graduates make about $96,760. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #13 among the best values for other education. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Albany State University earned the #14 position for value in other education this year. Albany State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $31,000. Other Education graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $28,034 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College came in at #15 for value in other education this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,576. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Our Lady Of Holy Cross College generally make around $56,527. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Leo University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $32,116. Early-career other education graduates make about $49,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College came in at #17 for value in other education this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the other education program here. Other Education graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $57,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #18 among the best values for other education. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $79,901. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Regent University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $29,451. Early-career other education graduates make about $66,119. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
James Madison University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Other Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #21 for value in other education this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Other Education graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Early-career other education graduates make about $45,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Jackson State University placed #22 among the best values for other education. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $42,699 to complete the other education program here. Early-career other education graduates make about $27,729. That is a strong return on a $42,699 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota came in at #23 for value in other education this year. State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a large public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,074, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Other Education graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Other Education graduates of State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota earn a median of $50,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,360 median debt.
Columbia College South Carolina ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $28,158 to complete the other education program here. Other Education graduates of Columbia College South Carolina earn a median of $49,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #25 position for value in other education this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $24,472. Other Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $54,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Other Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other education this year:
Narrow Other Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Other Education](/majors/education/other-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
