College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

312 Ranked Colleges
163,228 Degrees Awarded
$4,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

With 556,813 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 163,228 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,841 and $16,920 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 312 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies 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 liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The liberal arts 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 Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

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

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 21 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $371 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Duke University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 470 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $4,176 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at USF Tampa

3

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 #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. 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 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

4
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at North Carolina State University

5
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 1,837 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

American Military University also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $9,660 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at American Public University System

6
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 296 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $4,950 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida State

7
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Palm Beach State College is a large public school situated in Lake Worth, Florida. It awarded 4,062 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Palm Beach State College excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Palm Beach State College is $8,452 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Palm Beach State College

8

Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 3,217 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

FSCJ excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend FSCJ is $1,144 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at FSCJ

9
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indian River State College is a public institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,841 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $2,686 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indian River State College

10

Florida International University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 459 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $3,196 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Full FIU Liberal Arts General Studies Report

11

University of Central Florida landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 424 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCF has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,468 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, 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 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Central Florida

12
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Forsyth Technical Community College is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 529 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Forsyth Tech excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Forsyth Tech is $4,731 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Forsyth Tech

13

Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 3,606 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Northern Virginia Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. HCC is a fairly large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 3,242 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

HCC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for HCC is $2,919 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Hillsborough Community College

15
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Clearwater, Florida, this large public school awarded 3,158 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $676 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St Petersburg College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at St Petersburg College

16
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Valencia College is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,810 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Valencia College is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $4,942 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Valencia College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

17
Tallahassee Community College crest
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 2,197 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,437 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tallahassee Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Tallahassee Community College

18
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #18, Marshall University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 191 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Marshall University also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Marshall University is $5,377 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Marshall University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

19
Cleveland Community College crest
Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

Cleveland Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Shelby, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 260 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cleveland Community College is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Community College is $-1,032 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cleveland Community College

20

Wallace Community College, Dothan landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wallace, Dothan is located in Dothan, Alabama and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 331 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Wallace Community College, Dothan is $714 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Wallace Community College, Dothan

21
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,679 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Wake Technical Community College is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $3,886 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wake Technical Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

22
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 126 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

NKU excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,632 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NKU.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at NKU

23
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FAU is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 426 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FAU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida Atlantic University is $6,726 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida Atlantic University

24
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 219 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

WVU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Virginia University is $10,014 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at WVU

25
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 844 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

FTCC excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville Technical Community College is $2,883 for southeast region liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at FTCC

Rest of the Best 47 in Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 47 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina
27
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
28
29
30
31
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina
32
33
34
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
35
36
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina
37
RCC crest
Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina
38
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina
39
40
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina
41
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina
42
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
43
WSCC crest
Walters State Community College
Morristown, Tennessee
44
Surry Community College crest
Surry Community College
Dobson, North Carolina
45
Pensacola State crest
Pensacola State College
Pensacola, Florida
46
47
Aiken Technical College crest
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, South Carolina

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options