Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

88 Ranked Colleges
3,025 Degrees Awarded
$22,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 74,467 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,095 and $26,787 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,025 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 88 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than 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 nursing program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Nursing Report

#2

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 82 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UF also took the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at UF

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 61 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FIU Nursing Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 67 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at USF Tampa

#5

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

Out of the 88 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #5 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 101 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at UNC Greensboro

#6

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 110 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Florida Nursing Report

#7

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida State Nursing Report

#8

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 66 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Kentucky University are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NKU Nursing Report

#9

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FGCU Nursing Report

#10

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657.

Full UCF Nursing Report

#11

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Augusta University is a public institution located in Augusta, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 42 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Augusta University

#12

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, this fairly large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Marshall University Nursing Report

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University are $30,153, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at FranU

#14

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky

With a ranking of #14, Kentucky State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kentucky State University is a small public school situated in Frankfort, Kentucky. It awarded 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at KY State are $12,650.

Read full report on Nursing at KY State

#15

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482.

Full FAU Nursing Report

#16

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #16, Shepherd University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Shepherd University is a small public school situated in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. It awarded 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Shepherd University are $12,402, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Shepherd University

#17

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#18

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

University of South Alabama came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 166 students in 2019-2020.

USA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USA are $16,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of South Alabama

Southeastern Louisiana University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution located in Hammond, Louisiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeastern Louisiana University are $21,246.

Full Southeastern Louisiana University Nursing Report

#20

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky

Murray State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Murray, Kentucky, and it awarded 27 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Murray State University are $14,400.

Read more about Nursing at Murray State

#21

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this fairly large public school handed out 30 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Nursing Report

University of Louisiana at Lafayette came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are $23,865.

Read full report on Nursing at UL Lafayette

With a ranking of #23, University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 113 students in 2019-2020.

UAB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alabama at Birmingham are $19,188, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at UAB

#24

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Statesboro, Georgia, this large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at GaSou are $22,004, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Georgia Southern University

#25

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. VCU is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 60 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

VCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at VCU are $29,228.

Full Virginia Commonwealth University Nursing Report

Switch to a Similar Major

Switch to a More Focused Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Nursing Schools

Find Schools Near You