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

74 Ranked Colleges
40,301 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Engineering is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 7th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 198,468 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,653 and had an average of $23,855 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 40,301 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $65,769 and $24,379 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 74 colleges that offered a degree in engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the engineering program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 689 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $7,160 for southeast region engineering 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 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Engineering at Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 296 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also took the #4 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $7,694 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Engineering 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 Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 2,403 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, UF has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $8,394 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Engineering at University of Florida

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #9 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,619 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 749 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also took the #3 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,019 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Virginia.

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%.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Virginia - Main Campus

6

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school handed out 3,407 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $15,415 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Engineering at Georgia Tech

7
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 133 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $7,044 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Engineering at Wake Technical Community College

8

University of Central Florida ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 1,628 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $9,426 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Engineering at University of Central Florida

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 943 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $9,669 for southeast region engineering 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at USF Tampa

10
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 2,631 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, NC State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $14,424 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering at North Carolina State University

11
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 424 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $11,506 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 full report on Engineering at Florida State University

12

With a ranking of #12, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 977 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FIU is $7,292 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at FIU

13
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,227 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $18,372 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering at Virginia Tech

14
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. West Virginia University is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 821 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WVU is $13,077 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Engineering at WVU

15
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 463 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, UGA has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,037 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UGA.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Engineering at University of Georgia

16
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Clemson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 1,525 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Clemson University is $20,797 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering at Clemson

17

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UWF is $7,301 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UWF Engineering Report

18
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 172 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNF is $10,194 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at University of North Florida

19
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 404 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,323 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Engineering at Florida Atlantic University

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 649 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #22 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $16,708 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at UK

21
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 365 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina A & T State University is $12,647 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Engineering at North Carolina A & T State University

22

Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is located in Charleston, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 176 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend The Citadel is $13,358 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at The Citadel

23
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it awarded 749 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UARK also took the #25 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,256 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UARK.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at UARK

24

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 756 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $19,623 for Southeast Region Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, 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 86%.

Full Louisiana State University Engineering Report

25
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 900 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Mississippi State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State is $18,449 for southeast region engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full Mississippi State Engineering Report

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