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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

111 Ranked Colleges
5,653 Degrees Awarded
$8,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 6,333 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,967 and $22,425 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,653 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 111 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics 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 economics program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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 Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 219 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $-1,314 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k. 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.

The 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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Duke

#2

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 111 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington and Lee University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Washington and Lee also took the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee University is $2,039 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 full report on Economics at Washington and Lee

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 111 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #3 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 257 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $6,017 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at Vanderbilt

#4

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 111 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #4 spot on the list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 319 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $4,069 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full University of Florida Economics Report

#5

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 139 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,981 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Economics at Wake Forest University

#6

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 409 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $6,063 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Economics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#7

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #7, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 511 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,696 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, 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 97%.

Read more about Economics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#8

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 142 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, William & Mary has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,963 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William & Mary.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 Economics at William & Mary

#9

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 128 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Emory also took the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $9,629 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Emory University Economics Report

#10

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in University of Richmond, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 42 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, URichmond has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Richmond is $9,131 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The 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 students.

Read more about Economics at URichmond

#11

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #11, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 279 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $6,816 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 students.

Read full report on Economics at Florida State

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 182 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,616 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, 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 92%.

Full USF Tampa Economics Report

Florida International University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 124 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend FIU is $6,683 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full FIU Economics Report

#8 in overall quality

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 25 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgia Tech also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Tech is $11,454 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 97%.

Full Georgia Tech Economics Report

#15

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UWF is $3,912 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full The University of West Florida Economics Report

#16

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,847 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCF.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 full report on Economics at UCF

#17

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #17, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 72 students in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $10,241 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Georgia

#18

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, Virginia

With a ranking of #18, Virginia Military Institute did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 50 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VMI, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,604 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Military Institute.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Virginia Military Institute

#19

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. UNF is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,942 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Florida.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Read full report on Economics at University of North Florida

#20

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,748 for southeast region bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.

Full FGCU Economics Report

#21

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 40 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,331 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FAU.

Read full report on Economics at Florida Atlantic University

#22

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Tulane University of Louisiana ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 126 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Tulane did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tulane University of Louisiana is $24,632 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Economics at Tulane University of Louisiana

#23

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 116 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $14,010 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Virginia Tech

#24

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 41 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,884 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at Appalachian State

#25

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in University, Mississippi, this large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,566 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Mississippi.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Mississippi Economics Report

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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

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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