Rankings / By Region
Best Colleges in Southeast
- 50
- Schools
- $64,468
- Avg. Earnings
- 73%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,487
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,191
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $43,150 to $102,772, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Florida-Online delivers the most for the money: roughly $71,588 in median earnings against $4,815 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, University of Florida-Online ($4,815 net price), still posts $71,588 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Duke University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 73% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Berea College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.08× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Vanderbilt University ($91,565 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($102,772), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of Florida-Online costs $4,815 a year and University of Miami costs $37,244. Yet their graduates earn $71,588 and $75,328, nowhere near the $32,429 price gap.
- On value, University of Florida-Online beats Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of Florida-Online and Duke University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $62K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Vanderbilt University #1 overall | $91,565 ▲ +42% vs avg | $15,846 | 93% | 81 |
| 2 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus #2 overall | $102,772 ▲ +59% vs avg | $12,116 | 93% | 81 |
| 3 Duke University #3 overall | $97,800 ▲ +52% vs avg | $29,612 | 96% | 81 |
| $72,200 ▲ +12% vs avg | $11,655 | 92% | 80 | |
| $71,588 ▲ +11% vs avg | $6,541 | 91% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Southeast
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,468 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 73% and an average net price of $16,487.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Florida-Online — Net Price: $4,815 | Graduation Rate: 81%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Duke University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $102,772
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Southeast Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Southeast?
$61,144
Median earnings (10yr)
75%
Median graduation rate
$15,242
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Southeast, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $61,144 ten years after enrollment, or about $13,144 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 75%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $15,242 a year with about $19,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 25% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Southeast pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $15,242 and median earnings of $61,144 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Vanderbilt University lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #2
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #2 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 59% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Duke University lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Florida lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Davidson College lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Washington and Lee University lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Emory University lands at #8 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
William & Mary lands at #9 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Central Florida lands at #10 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $58,308 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,411 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of North Florida lands at #11 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $56,343 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,154 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of Georgia lands at #12 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $68,726 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,936 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Virginia's College at Wise lands at #13 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $45,325 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Florida State University lands at #14 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $61,675 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,297 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #15
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #15 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Florida International University lands at #16 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of South Florida lands at #17 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $57,743 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,812 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Wake Forest University lands at #18 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $78,158 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,719 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Florida Atlantic University lands at #19 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (69/100). Graduates earn a median $56,746 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,752 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
James Madison University lands at #20 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $69,954 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of West Florida lands at #21 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,137 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
George Mason University lands at #22 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,343 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,915 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
University of Florida-Online lands at #23 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Richmond lands at #24 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $76,178 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,309 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Virginia Military Institute lands at #25 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $77,369 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,113 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Berea College lands at #26 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $43,150 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Florida Gulf Coast University lands at #27 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $54,560 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,568 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of Mary Washington lands at #28 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,613 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,667 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charlotte, NC · 80% accepted · $15,435 net
Why it ranks #29
University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands at #29 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,289 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,435 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Clemson University lands at #30 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $71,513 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,253 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Wilmington, NC · 64% accepted · $20,109 net
Why it ranks #31
University of North Carolina Wilmington lands at #31 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,967 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,109 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
The University of the South lands at #32 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $64,911 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,872 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Rhodes College lands at #33 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $66,651 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,585 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Christian Brothers University lands at #34 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,478 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,854 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Furman University lands at #35 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $68,635 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,308 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Wofford College lands at #36 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $68,964 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,732 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Appalachian State University lands at #37 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,836 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,836 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Tennessee Technological University lands at #38 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $48,501 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,246 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Kennesaw State University lands at #39 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $57,552 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,048 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
East Carolina University lands at #40 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $55,146 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,739 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Murray State University lands at #41 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,737 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,096 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Middle Tennessee State University lands at #42 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $48,541 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,359 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Austin Peay State University lands at #43 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,301 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,735 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
University of Mississippi lands at #44 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $50,994 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,314 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
University of North Georgia lands at #45 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $50,135 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,823 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
University of Alabama in Huntsville lands at #46 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $61,767 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,796 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
University of Miami lands at #47 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,328 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,244 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Trevecca Nazarene University lands at #48 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $49,378 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,813 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Northern Kentucky University lands at #49 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $50,220 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,191 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Old Dominion University lands at #50 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,638 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
The Southeast region is home to some of the country's top colleges, offering a mix of academic rigor and vibrant campus life. Families considering these options want to understand not just the reputations of the schools, but also the tangible outcomes they deliver for their graduates. With an average earning potential of $67,251 for graduates in this region, the stakes are high.
What sets the strongest institutions apart from others? Key metrics like graduation rates, earnings, debt levels, and mobility reveal the true value of a college education. For example, the top schools on this list boast impressive graduation rates ranging from 91% to 96%, indicating that students are not just enrolling but successfully completing their degrees, which is crucial for future earning power.
Take Duke University and the University of Florida: while Duke graduates earn an average of $97,800 after leaving campus, Florida graduates see earnings around $71,588. However, Florida has a lower net price of $6,541 compared to Duke's $29,612. This contrast highlights the tradeoffs students must consider—higher earnings may come with increased costs, and each family's financial situation will influence these choices.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 48 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Florida International University leads the group at 5.2%, with George Mason University (3.1%) and Florida Atlantic University (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. University of West Florida leads at 27.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 31.7% across this list. University of Mary Washington posts the highest success rate at 60.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.61 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Washington and Lee University reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When examining the data, a noteworthy trend emerges between Georgia Institute of Technology and Vanderbilt University. Georgia Tech graduates enjoy the highest average earnings at $102,772, yet their debt level stands at $21,672, significantly higher than Vanderbilt's $14,000. This raises questions about the sustainability of their financial outcomes in the long term.
For families reviewing the 50 colleges listed, it’s crucial to weigh these metrics against personal priorities such as desired programs, campus culture, and financial resources. A school that excels in one area, like earnings, might come with tradeoffs in debt or net price that could impact your family’s financial situation. Match the hard data with what you value most in a college experience.
Ultimately, the choices made about college can shape a graduate's financial future. Investing in a degree from a school with strong earnings potential, like Duke or Georgia Tech, can be a pathway to a stable life. But every family's situation varies, and understanding these metrics helps clarify the implications of each decision.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Southeast: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Southeast ranking? +
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Southeast ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $91,565 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $102,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $64,468 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Florida-Online leads: graduates earn a median $71,588 against net price of about $4,815 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Duke University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 73% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,487 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. University of Florida-Online is among the most affordable at roughly $4,815. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Southeast ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
