Southeast Colleges: Costs & Outcomes (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in the Southeast region: median public in-state tuition $11,790 (+113.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $47,397 (-12.8% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 88.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $15,530 (+17.0% vs U.S.) 3,449,996 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 1,585 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 3,449,996 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $11,790 (+113.9% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $47,397 (-12.8% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 88.0% (+0.0 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $15,784 (+58.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $15,530 (+17.0% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $15,530. Debt rank: #4 nationally of 6 (lower debt = better rank)
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 48.2%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 73.3%
- Student debt rank: #4 nationally of 6 (lower debt = better rank)
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
Higher education across the Southeast Census region spans public universities, private colleges, and community colleges. About 3,449,996 students enrolled at reporting campuses, with median public in-state tuition near $11,790. This regional profile aggregates College Scorecard outcomes—costs, debt, completion, earnings, and top institutions—against national benchmarks.
Southeast vs national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast (region) | $11,790 | $15,784 | $15,530 | 48.2% | 3,449,996 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Southeast vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | $47,397 | 88.0% | 73.3% | 6.8% | — | 66.4% | 0.48 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
States in Southeast
Member states in this Census region (by enrollment).
| State | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | $11,790 | $15,784 | $15,530 | 48.2% | 3,449,996 | $47,397 | 88.0% |
| Florida | $3,110 | $7,247 | $13,000 | 53.0% | 855,761 | $49,232 | 82.9% |
| Georgia | $4,094 | $9,196 | $16,167 | 41.0% | 426,705 | $47,390 | 87.0% |
| North Carolina | $2,613 | $6,820 | $20,000 | 52.0% | 421,744 | $47,364 | 86.1% |
| Virginia | $5,400 | $8,852 | $20,000 | 57.0% | 382,210 | $54,869 | 86.8% |
| Tennessee | $4,998 | $7,802 | $15,784 | 50.0% | 245,221 | $48,480 | 90.5% |
| Alabama | $5,340 | $10,721 | $21,170 | 43.0% | 220,102 | $44,391 | 90.0% |
| South Carolina | $7,558 | $11,376 | $15,392 | 48.0% | 199,420 | $44,978 | 88.9% |
| Louisiana | $6,004 | $11,456 | $13,136 | 45.0% | 186,008 | $47,477 | 89.7% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Southeast
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private for-profit | 37 | $40,092 | 81.1% | 66.7% | 10.5% | — | 45.3% |
| Private nonprofit | 228 | $47,925 | 87.8% | 71.2% | 5.9% | — | 68.0% |
| Public | 154 | $47,730 | 89.0% | 75.7% | 7.0% | — | 67.3% |
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 100.0%, Strayer University-Florida
Strayer University-Florida
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 100.0%, Chamberlain University-Virginia
Chamberlain University-Virginia
-
Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 96.8%, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 95.6%, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
-
Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 94.0%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 93.9%, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
-
Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 93.5%, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 8, Graduation Rate, 91.2%, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Rank 9, Graduation Rate, 91.1%, University of Florida
University of Florida
-
Rank 10, Graduation Rate, 91.1%, Emory University
Emory University
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 95.0%, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 94.7%, Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College
-
Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 93.9%, Baptist Health Sciences University
Baptist Health Sciences University
-
Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 93.7%, Milligan University
Milligan University
-
Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 93.6%, West Coast University-Miami
West Coast University-Miami
-
Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 93.4%, Georgetown College
Georgetown College
-
Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 93.3%, Berry College
Berry College
-
Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 93.2%, West Liberty University
West Liberty University
-
Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 93.2%, Samford University
Samford University
-
Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 93.2%, Union University
Union University
Top 10 most selective colleges in Southeast (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 5.7%, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 5.9%, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 3, Admission Rate, 10.7%, Emory University
Emory University
-
Rank 4, Admission Rate, 13.4%, Davidson College
Davidson College
-
Rank 5, Admission Rate, 14.0%, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
-
Rank 6, Admission Rate, 14.0%, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 7, Admission Rate, 14.1%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 8, Admission Rate, 15.3%, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Rank 9, Admission Rate, 16.8%, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
-
Rank 10, Admission Rate, 18.9%, University of Miami
University of Miami
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $144,190, Barry University
Barry University
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $133,356, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $122,244, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $118,232, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
-
Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $105,137, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $98,692, Spelman College
Spelman College
-
Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $96,432, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
-
Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $95,859, West Coast University-Miami
West Coast University-Miami
-
Rank 9, Entry-Level Earnings, $93,433, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
-
Rank 10, Entry-Level Earnings, $93,433, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $297,029, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $160,021, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $159,541, Emory University
Emory University
-
Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $150,628, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $148,175, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
-
Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $146,608, Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
-
Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $144,103, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
-
Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $143,972, George Mason University
George Mason University
-
Rank 9, Early-Career Earnings, $137,047, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Rank 10, Early-Career Earnings, $134,968, Barry University
Barry University
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $96,114, West Coast University-Miami
West Coast University-Miami
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $89,432, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $85,792, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Louisiana
Chamberlain University-Louisiana
-
Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Florida
Chamberlain University-Florida
-
Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Virginia
Chamberlain University-Virginia
-
Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Georgia
Chamberlain University-Georgia
-
Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $77,545, Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University
-
Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $76,516, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
-
Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $75,150, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $98,146, West Coast University-Miami
West Coast University-Miami
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $95,882, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $94,647, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $89,772, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
-
Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Florida
Chamberlain University-Florida
-
Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Virginia
Chamberlain University-Virginia
-
Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Georgia
Chamberlain University-Georgia
-
Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Louisiana
Chamberlain University-Louisiana
-
Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $84,542, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $80,513, Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $102,772, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $102,672, West Coast University-Miami
West Coast University-Miami
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $97,800, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $94,810, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Florida
Chamberlain University-Florida
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Virginia
Chamberlain University-Virginia
-
Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Georgia
Chamberlain University-Georgia
-
Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Louisiana
Chamberlain University-Louisiana
-
Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $91,565, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $86,863, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $417,020, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $338,065, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $331,776, West Coast University-Miami
West Coast University-Miami
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $328,460, Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $319,092, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $317,628, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
-
Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $298,588, University of Florida-Online
University of Florida-Online
-
Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $291,320, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
-
Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $289,958, University of Florida
University of Florida
-
Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $288,174, Chamberlain University-Louisiana
Chamberlain University-Louisiana
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Southeast (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $7,195, New College of Florida
New College of Florida
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $4,815, University of Florida-Online
University of Florida-Online
-
Rank 3, Net Price, $8,040, Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University
-
Rank 4, Net Price, $6,364, Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University
-
Rank 5, Net Price, $19,096, William & Mary
William & Mary
-
Rank 6, Net Price, $7,022, Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
-
Rank 7, Net Price, $5,012, Dalton State College
Dalton State College
-
Rank 8, Net Price, $6,106, Berea College
Berea College
-
Rank 9, Net Price, $8,191, Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University
-
Rank 10, Net Price, $6,842, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Top 10 colleges in Southeast by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 100.0%, Chamberlain University-Virginia
Chamberlain University-Virginia
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 100.0%, Strayer University-Tennessee
Strayer University-Tennessee
-
Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 100.0%, Strayer University-South Carolina
Strayer University-South Carolina
-
Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 98.1%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
-
Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 97.9%, Duke University
Duke University
-
Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 97.7%, University of Florida
University of Florida
-
Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 97.5%, University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
-
Rank 8, First-Year Retention, 97.1%, American Public University System
American Public University System
-
Rank 9, First-Year Retention, 96.6%, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Rank 10, First-Year Retention, 96.6%, Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
In-state tuition: Southeast vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Southeast median in-state tuition is $11,790, +113.9% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Southeast vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Southeast is $15,530 (+17.0% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $15,530. Rank: #4 nationally of 6 (lower debt = better rank).
Median earnings (10 years out): Southeast vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Southeast center around $47,397 (-12.8% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Southeast vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 88.0% at the median Southeast campus (+0.0 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Southeast median public in-state tuition is $11,790, about +113.9% vs the national median.
Median graduate debt is $15,530 (+17.0% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Student debt rank: #4 nationally of 6 (lower debt = better rank) (1 = lowest median debt).
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Southeast are $47,397, about -12.8% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 88.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+0.0 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 73.3% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 6.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 66.4% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (95.0%), Presbyterian College (94.7%), Baptist Health Sciences University (93.9%), Milligan University (93.7%), West Coast University-Miami (93.6%), Georgetown College (93.4%), Berry College (93.3%), West Liberty University (93.2%), Samford University (93.2%), Union University (93.2%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Southeast, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $40,092 (37 campuses); Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $47,925 (228 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $47,730 (154 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Southeast is 48.2% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in the Southeast region?
The Southeast regional profile aggregates 1,585 campuses and about 3,449,996 reported enrollment across member states.
What does college cost in the Southeast region?
Regional median in-state tuition is $11,790 and median net price is $15,784 (+113.9% vs U.S. tuition median). National medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in the Southeast region?
Median 10-year earnings across Southeast campuses is $47,397 vs $54,384 nationally.
What is typical student debt in the Southeast region?
Regional median completer debt is $15,530 vs $13,271 nationally.
Which states are in the Southeast region?
Member states in this Census region include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina.
How many public vs. private colleges are in the Southeast region?
Among reporting campuses: 154 public, 228 private nonprofit, and 37 private for-profit.
What are the top colleges in the Southeast region?
Standouts in regional Top 10 lists include Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and Strayer University-Florida.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in the Southeast region?
Among 1585 campuses in the Southeast region, 78 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, and Gadsden State Community College; 175 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, Northwest Technical Institute, and Atlantic Technical College; 229 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: United Methodist (42), Baptist (31), Roman Catholic (26).
Sources & related
- All college profiles
- All regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON