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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,841 and $16,920 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 286 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 470 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $4,176 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

2

Out of the 286 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

3
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 #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at North Carolina State University

4
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

Out of the 286 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the #4 spot on the list. American Military University is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,837 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

American Military University also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for American Military University is $9,660 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at American Public University System

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 296 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $4,950 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Florida State

6
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Worth, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 4,062 students in 2020-2021.

Palm Beach State College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $8,452 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Palm Beach State College.

Full Palm Beach State College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

7

Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Florida State College at Jacksonville is a large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 3,217 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

FSCJ also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $1,144 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Full FSCJ Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

8
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indian River State College is located in Fort Pierce, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,841 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $2,686 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indian River State College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Indian River State College

9

Florida International University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 459 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

FIU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $3,196 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida International University.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at FIU

10

University of Central Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCF is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 424 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCF is $4,468 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full UCF Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

11
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Forsyth Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 529 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Forsyth Tech is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Forsyth Tech is $4,731 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Forsyth Tech

12

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Annandale, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,606 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northern Virginia Community College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northern Virginia Community College

13

Hillsborough Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hillsborough Community College is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,242 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

HCC excels when it comes to liberal arts / sciences and humanities quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hillsborough Community College is $2,919 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Hillsborough Community College

14
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SPC is a large public school situated in Clearwater, Florida. It awarded 3,158 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St Petersburg College is $676 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at St Petersburg College

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Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.

In addition to being on this list, Valencia College is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,942 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valencia College.

Full Valencia College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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Tallahassee Community College crest
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 2,197 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Tallahassee Community College is $2,437 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tallahassee Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

17
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #17, Marshall University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshall University is a fairly large school located in Huntington, West Virginia that handed out 191 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Marshall University has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marshall University is $5,377 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Marshall University

18
Cleveland Community College crest
Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

Cleveland Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Shelby, North Carolina, and it awarded 260 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland Community College excels when it comes to liberal arts / sciences and humanities quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Community College is $-1,032 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cleveland Community College

19

Wallace Community College, Dothan landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wallace Community College, Dothan is a small public school situated in Dothan, Alabama. It awarded 331 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wallace, Dothan is $714 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Wallace, Dothan

20
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,679 students in 2020-2021.

Wake Technical Community College excels when it comes to liberal arts / sciences and humanities quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $3,886 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wake Technical Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

21
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NKU is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 126 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

NKU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,632 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NKU.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at NKU

22
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 426 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FAU is $6,726 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Florida Atlantic University

23
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #23, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 219 students in 2020-2021.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for West Virginia University is $10,014 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at WVU

24
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FTCC is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 844 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on this list, FTCC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $2,883 for Southeast Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FTCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Fayetteville Technical Community College

25
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized school located in Salisbury, North Carolina that handed out 490 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,068 for southeast region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Full Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Rest of the Best 43 in Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 43 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
27
28
29
30
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina
31
32
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University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
34
35
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina
36
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Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina
37
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina
38
39
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina
40
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina
41
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
42
WSCC crest
Walters State Community College
Morristown, Tennessee
43
Surry Community College crest
Surry Community College
Dobson, North Carolina

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