2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. College Factual has developed its Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
After analyzing 357 schools in the Southeast Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a bachelor's degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
2,312
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$60,889
Average Early-Career Earnings
$40,960
Average Student Debt
Our 2025 rankings named Duke University the best school in the Southeast Region in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,312 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Duke make an average of $60,889 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $40,960 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Duke University
2,440
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$61,239
Average Early-Career Earnings
$62,353
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Vanderbilt University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Southeast Region. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,440 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt is $61,239 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $62,353 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Vanderbilt University
4,015
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$68,384
Average Early-Career Earnings
$43,126
Average Student Debt
Out of the 357 bachelor’s degree schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Georgia Tech is located in Atlanta, Georgia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,015 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Georgia Tech make an average of $68,384 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $43,126 in student loans.
Learn More About Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus
5,483
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$54,804
Average Early-Career Earnings
$42,110
Average Student Debt
A rank of #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in the Southeast Region list means University of Virginia - Main Campus is a great place for students working on their degree. University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,483 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $54,804 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $42,110 in student loans.
Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Report
6,451
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,947
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,599
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Southeast Region. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 6,451 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill is $43,947 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $31,599.
Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Report
2,663
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,352
Average Early-Career Earnings
$42,386
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #6, Emory University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Emory is located in Atlanta, Georgia and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,663 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Emory make an average of $43,352 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $42,386.
Learn More About Emory University
7,289
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$55,253
Average Early-Career Earnings
$40,421
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #7, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,289 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $55,253 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $40,421 after getting their degree.
Full Virginia Tech Report
10,063
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,408
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,228
Average Student Debt
University of Florida ranked #8 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the large public school awarded 10,063 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UF make an average of $44,408 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $18,228 in student loans.
Learn More About University of Florida
8,790
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,897
Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,681
Average Student Debt
University of Georgia did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #9. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 8,790 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,897 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $21,681.
Learn More About University of Georgia
2,698
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,114
Average Early-Career Earnings
$54,142
Average Student Debt
Tulane University of Louisiana ranked #10 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,698 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Tulane make an average of $44,114 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $54,142.
Read full report on Tulane University of Louisiana
581
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$76,663
Average Early-Career Earnings
Washington and Lee University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 581 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee make an average of $76,663 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Washington and Lee University Report
6,285
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,464
Average Early-Career Earnings
$33,055
Average Student Debt
George Mason University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. George Mason University is a large public school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 6,285 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from GMU go into careers with an average salary of $49,464 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $33,055 in student loans.
Full George Mason University Report
1,546
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,846
Average Early-Career Earnings
$60,106
Average Student Debt
Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #13. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 1,546 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University go into careers with an average salary of $49,846 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $60,106 in student loans.
Read full report on Wake Forest University
9,550
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,100
Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,995
Average Student Debt
Florida State University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #14. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,550 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Florida State go into careers with an average salary of $42,100 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $17,995.
Learn More About Florida State University
7,106
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,283
Average Early-Career Earnings
$38,654
Average Student Debt
University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #15. UofSC is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 7,106 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UofSC go into careers with an average salary of $44,283 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $38,654.
Learn More About University of South Carolina - Columbia
6,518
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,569
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,312
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #16, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,518 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from NC State make an average of $50,569 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,312 after getting their degree.
Read full report on North Carolina State University
2,691
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$63,373
Average Early-Career Earnings
$6,376
Average Student Debt
Columbia Southern University landed the #17 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,691 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Columbia Southern University make an average of $63,373 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $6,376.
Full Columbia Southern University Report
2,030
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,970
Average Early-Career Earnings
$34,244
Average Student Debt
William & Mary did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,030 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from William & Mary make an average of $44,970 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $34,244.
Learn More About William & Mary
4,688
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,308
Average Early-Career Earnings
$37,542
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #19, James Madison University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. JMU is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,688 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $47,308 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $37,542 in student loans.
Learn More About James Madison University
5,123
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,770
Average Early-Career Earnings
$39,332
Average Student Debt
Clemson University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, the large public school handed out 5,123 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Clemson make an average of $48,770 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $39,332.
Learn More About Clemson University
924
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,883
Average Early-Career Earnings
$73,105
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #21, University of Richmond did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. URichmond is a private not-for-profit institution located in University of Richmond, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 924 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from URichmond make an average of $47,883 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $73,105.
Read full report on University of Richmond
7,332
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,672
Average Early-Career Earnings
$53,074
Average Student Debt
The University of Alabama did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #22. The University of Alabama is a large public school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 7,332 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UA make an average of $43,672 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $53,074 after getting their degree.
Full The University of Alabama Report
10,145
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,284
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,329
Average Student Debt
University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10,145 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,284 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $15,329.
Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Report
5,764
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,108
Average Early-Career Earnings
$52,923
Average Student Debt
Auburn University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #24. Auburn, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,764 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Auburn make an average of $48,108 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $52,923 in student loans.
Read full report on Auburn University
1,282
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$61,749
Average Early-Career Earnings
$60,125
Average Student Debt
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach landed the #25 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and it awarded 1,282 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach is $61,749 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $60,125 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
