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2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

39 Ranked Colleges
2,586 Degrees Awarded
$9,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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 Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

General Engineering is the 79th most popular major in the country with 11,796 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,873 and had an average of $20,557 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 2,586 general engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $62,738 and $21,037 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general engineering 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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The engineering school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $3,176 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.

Full Vanderbilt University General Engineering Report

2
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 52 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,283 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Carolina State University General Engineering Report

3
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 24 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $8,303 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at University of Georgia

4
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, West Virginia University landed the #4 spot on the list. West Virginia University is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 41 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, WVU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $10,014 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Engineering at West Virginia University

5
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Technical Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 133 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

Wake Technical Community College also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $3,886 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wake Technical Community College.

Full Wake Technical Community College General Engineering Report

6
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UARK is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 106 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UARK also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $12,003 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Arkansas.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on General Engineering at UARK

7
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia - Main Campus is $12,476 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Virginia General Engineering Report

8
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Mississippi State, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mississippi State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State is $13,025 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Mississippi State University General Engineering Report

9
Louisiana Tech crest
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana

Louisiana Tech University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Ruston, Louisiana, and it awarded 36 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Louisiana Tech has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $8,257 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Louisiana Tech University.

Read more about General Engineering at Louisiana Tech

10

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Chattanooga, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $8,625 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga General Engineering Report

11
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Old Dominion is located in Norfolk, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 113 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Old Dominion not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $13,335 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Old Dominion University.

Read more about General Engineering at Old Dominion University

12
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 20 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Ole Miss also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $7,764 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ole Miss.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on General Engineering at University of Mississippi

13
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #13, Marshall University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshall University is located in Huntington, West Virginia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,377 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marshall University.

Read full report on General Engineering at Marshall University

14

Tennessee Technological University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tennessee Tech University is a public institution located in Cookeville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Tennessee Tech University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee Technological University is $11,561 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 General Engineering at Tennessee Tech University

15
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 102 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,260 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ECU.

Full East Carolina University General Engineering Report

16
McNeese crest
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, Louisiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

McNeese did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,542 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend McNeese.

Read full report on General Engineering at McNeese

17

With a ranking of #17, University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCA, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Asheville is $8,677 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UNCA General Engineering Report

18
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #18, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 76 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, JMU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for JMU is $14,288 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Engineering at JMU

19
Christian Brothers crest
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, Tennessee

Christian Brothers University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Christian Brothers is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Christian Brothers not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,719 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Christian Brothers.

Read full report on General Engineering at Christian Brothers

20
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,305 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Carolina University.

Read more about General Engineering at Western Carolina University

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, this large public school awarded 143 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

UAB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UAB is $13,443 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at UAB

22

University of Alabama in Huntsville came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Huntsville, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.

UAH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Alabama in Huntsville is $13,631 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 full report on General Engineering at University of Alabama in Huntsville

23
Mercer crest
Mercer University
Macon, Georgia

With a ranking of #23, Mercer University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Macon, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 116 students in 2020-2021.

Mercer also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Mercer University is $16,024 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Mercer

24
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #24, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 10 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,084 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Memphis.

Full University of Memphis General Engineering Report

25

The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Martin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,248 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Martin.

Read full report on General Engineering at The University of Tennessee - Martin

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