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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

264 Ranked Colleges
74,881 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 327,871 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 74,881 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,366 and $24,123 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 264 colleges that offer a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 135 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,160 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Duke University.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Duke Education Report

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 346 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $7,694 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Education at Vanderbilt University

3
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 657 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $8,394 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Florida.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at University of Florida

4
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 264 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 120 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,228 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Education at Wake Forest University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school handed out 1,635 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $9,426 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Education at University of Central Florida

6

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 745 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $9,669 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at USF Tampa

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 576 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Florida State also made our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $11,506 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Florida State University

8

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 244 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

9
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 832 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $15,037 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at University of Georgia

10
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #10, Central Piedmont Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 195 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Piedmont Community College is $6,600 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Education at Central Piedmont Community College

11
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 369 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $16,019 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at University of Virginia

12

With a ranking of #12, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 626 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $7,301 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Education at UWF

13

Florida International University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 765 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, FIU is in the top on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,292 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend FIU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Florida International University

14
ICC crest
Itawamba Community College
Fulton, Mississippi

Itawamba Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Itawamba Community College is a small public school situated in Fulton, Mississippi. It awarded 80 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,445 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ICC.

Read more about Education at Itawamba Community College

15
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Lake Worth, Florida, and it awarded 58 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Palm Beach State College is $12,237 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Education at Palm Beach State College

16
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 127 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $3,973 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Education Report

17
CGTC crest
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia

Central Georgia Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Warner Robins, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CGTC is $4,272 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Education at CGTC

18
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

With a ranking of #18, Miami Dade College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 175 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,808 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Miami Dade College.

Read more about Education at Miami Dade College

19
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Indian River State College is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Pierce, Florida. It awarded 58 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indian River State College is $5,511 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Education at Indian River State College

20
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

With a ranking of #20, St Petersburg College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St Petersburg College is a large public school situated in Clearwater, Florida. It awarded 227 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,892 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SPC.

Read more about Education at St Petersburg College

21
Atlanta Area Tech crest
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Atlanta Technical College is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,086 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Atlanta Technical College.

Full Atlanta Technical College Education Report

22
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNF is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 326 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNF is also in the top of our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $10,194 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Florida.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at University of North Florida

23
Holmes Community College crest
Holmes Community College
Goodman, Mississippi

Holmes Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Holmes Community College is located in Goodman, Mississippi and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Holmes Community College is $7,601 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Holmes Community College Education Report

24
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, William & Mary is in the top on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,995 for southeast region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend William & Mary.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Education Report

25
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fayetteville Technical Community College is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,225 for Southeast Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend FTCC.

Full Fayetteville Technical Community College Education Report

Rest of the Best 40 in Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Not only did these schools make the top 40 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Stanly Technical College crest
Stanly Community College
Albemarle, North Carolina
27
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
28
29
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
30
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
31
32
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
33
Albany Technical College crest
Albany Technical College
Albany, Georgia
34
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky
35
ECSU crest
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
36
William Carey University crest
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
37
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
38
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
39
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina
40

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