2026 Best Value Education Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
University Of Florida Online tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,779. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $49,545. That is a strong return on a $19,956 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for education. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,492. Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #4 place for education. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,522 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $33,260 early in their careers. Set against $25,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,669. Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
South Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,200 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $31,111. That is a strong return on a $8,200 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #9 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Education graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Early-career education graduates make about $32,147.
Chipola College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Education graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Wilkes Community College landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Miami Dade College landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #14 for value in education this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,492. Early-career education graduates make about $21,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #15 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,182. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $35,543. Set against $11,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #16 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Education graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $45,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $24,653 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $24,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,942. Early-career education graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Education graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,775. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $24,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida came in at #23 for value in education this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,608 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $52,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
Narrow Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 595 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
