College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

89 Ranked Colleges
6,166 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 49,055 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 6,166 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,738 and $21,917 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 89 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics 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 economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

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

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 256 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Duke also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $7,160 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 Duke Economics Report

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 272 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $7,694 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Vanderbilt University Economics Report

3
Washington and Lee crest
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington and Lee University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 63 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Washington and Lee also took the #10 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington and Lee University is $6,505 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at Washington and Lee

4

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 #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. 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 419 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at UNC Chapel Hill

5
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 330 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $8,394 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, 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 full report on Economics at UF

6
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 528 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $16,019 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Virginia Economics Report

7
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 117 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,228 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University Economics Report

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 295 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $11,506 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read more about Economics at Florida State

9
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 127 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $10,995 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Economics Report

10
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in University of Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 47 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

URichmond not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $16,063 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at URichmond

11

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 195 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

USF Tampa also took the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,669 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

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%.

Read more about Economics at University of South Florida - Main Campus

12
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #12, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 167 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Emory also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $16,646 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate 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.

Full Emory Economics Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 160 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $7,292 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at FIU

14

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgia Tech, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,415 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgia Tech Economics Report

15
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small public school awarded 48 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend VMI is $13,613 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad 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 more about Economics at VMI

16
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 102 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also took the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $18,372 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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 93%.

Full Virginia Tech Economics Report

17

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. UWF is a fairly large school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 11 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $7,301 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Economics at The University of West Florida

18

University of Central Florida landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Central Florida is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 49 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $9,426 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Economics at University of Central Florida

19
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #19, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 81 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,037 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Georgia.

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

Read more about Economics at University of Georgia

20
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,424 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NC State Economics Report

21
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,194 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Florida.

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

Full UNF Economics Report

22
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

With a ranking of #22, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Kentucky is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 65 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UK is $16,708 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at UK

23
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 166 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,466 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Georgia State University.

Read full report on Economics at Georgia State

24
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FAU is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 71 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida Atlantic University is $12,323 for Southeast Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full FAU Economics Report

25
Centre College of Kentucky crest
Centre College
Danville, Kentucky

Centre College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Danville, Kentucky, and it awarded 63 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Centre College of Kentucky is $18,180 for southeast region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Centre College of Kentucky

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options