2020 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Southeast

Below are our rankings of America’s Best Bang for the Buck Colleges—our exclusive list of schools ranked according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. The list is created by isolating the social mobility metrics from the main rankings of four-year institutions. Click here for detailed methodology, here for all of our other rankings, and here to download the full data set.

Rank	Name	8-year graduation rate	Pell/non-Pell grad rate gap	Number of Pell graduates	First-gen students	Median earnings 10 years after entering college	Predicted median earnings 10 yrs after entering college	Net price of attendance for families below $75,000 income	% repaying $1 in loan principal 5 yrs after leaving coll.
1	Georgetown University (DC)	94%	-1%	216	15%	91036	66587	10640	89%
2	Washington and Lee University (VA)	90%	-1%	46	N/A	75316	58550	4566	92%
3	Duke University (NC)	96%	2%	230	13%	81310	72776	2646	92%
4	Amridge University (AL)	42%	7%	2	54%	40788	31813	11439	37%
5	University of Florida (FL)*	88%	-5%	1695	30%	54504	54471	6024	72%
6	James Madison University (VA)*	83%	-8%	418	20%	55463	47735	15204	89%
7	Florida International University (FL)*	64%	1%	1312	41%	45668	49262	10181	62%
8	North Carolina Wesleyan College (NC)	55%	3%	38	46%	38249	31646	15290	47%
9	Mary Baldwin University (VA)	51%	0%	67	40%	37305	31247	15911	62%
10	Bob Jones University (SC)	62%	-8%	162	15%	N/A	33992	12568	86%
11	Elizabeth City State University (NC)*	43%	-3%	137	35%	30463	28736	2263	29%
12	University of NC–Chapel Hill (NC)*	90%	-5%	677	20%	54677	58692	7208	85%
13	Radford University (VA)*	64%	-4%	291	32%	43400	41628	14227	79%
14	George Mason University (VA)*	72%	-4%	468	29%	59661	53670	16755	79%
15	Trinity Washington University (DC)	44%	2%	66	54%	39537	35011	15686	40%
16	University of Richmond (VA)	83%	2%	105	16%	62983	56490	11673	79%
17	University of NC–Greensboro (NC)*	58%	-2%	588	31%	37131	34749	9891	64%
18	University of Central Florida (FL)*	72%	-4%	1318	35%	44784	48977	12537	68%
19	Davidson College (NC)	94%	-6%	51	15%	56225	55275	9359	91%
20	Florida Atlantic University (FL)*	61%	0%	633	39%	42673	45446	8780	62%
21	University of Mary Washington (VA)*	71%	-5%	89	24%	51182	48254	15652	86%
22	Augusta University (GA)*	42%	-6%	99	30%	N/A	41297	13221	85%
23	University of Virginia (VA)*	94%	-4%	354	16%	61952	62485	11324	88%
24	Columbia Southern University (AL)°	50%	-1%	57	54%	N/A	51488	10200	53%
25	Appalachian State University (NC)*	72%	-6%	453	24%	38112	42269	10027	78%
26	Florida State University (FL)*	80%	-6%	1286	27%	46044	51403	10507	71%
27	Wake Forest University (NC)	88%	-5%	105	13%	62544	59915	12532	91%
28	College of William and Mary (VA)*	91%	-3%	130	12%	57475	62244	6706	89%
29	University of South Carolina–Upstate (SC)*	52%	-1%	165	35%	37100	39201	13568	58%
30	Voorhees College (SC)	33%	19%	58	44%	25198	23758	17126	21%
31	University of South Florida–Main (FL)*	72%	-1%	1069	35%	42980	51992	8665	64%
32	Salem College (NC)	56%	-3%	51	34%	34183	31201	15161	64%
33	VA Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ. (VA)*	84%	-8%	610	18%	61935	58481	14932	84%
34	Georgia Institute of Technology–Main (GA)*	86%	-6%	365	15%	78064	76235	10369	88%
35	Univ. of S. Florida–St. Petersburg (FL)*	52%	1%	86	35%	42980	43102	9848	64%
36	Univ. of Virginia's College–Wise (VA)*	44%	-4%	77	40%	38184	34771	9790	67%
37	Embry-Riddle Aero. U.–Dayt. Beach (FL)	57%	-14%	147	35%	64684	49771	28373	74%
38	Georgia State University (GA)*	58%	1%	890	32%	42639	43561	13909	52%
39	George Washington University (DC)	82%	-2%	226	15%	68773	63144	20076	86%
40	Longwood University (VA)*	68%	-7%	142	29%	41180	40738	16534	83%
41	Johnson & Wales Univ.–North Miami (FL)	49%	-12%	112	34%	37662	32857	21664	68%
42	East Carolina University (NC)*	63%	-7%	760	27%	40433	39433	12638	70%
43	University of Mount Olive (NC)	53%	-14%	45	45%	39004	36089	13983	55%
44	Citadel: The Military College of SC (SC)*	72%	-13%	92	19%	55662	53278	14021	77%
45	Winston-Salem State University (NC)*	56%	-9%	251	35%	33118	32405	10718	39%
46	Bluefield College (VA)	55%	-17%	13	45%	41255	34668	21242	60%
47	Emory University (GA)	91%	-5%	216	17%	63582	67284	13987	85%
48	Flagler College–St. Augustine (FL)	63%	0%	114	28%	38285	34900	19452	66%
49	Concord University (WV)*	39%	-12%	89	46%	32340	29661	7391	59%
50	Brenau University (GA)	50%	-11%	40	40%	42452	33391	20040	58%
51	Wheeling Jesuit University (WV)	57%	-8%	33	34%	44815	44287	14914	76%
52	Averett University (VA)	41%	-3%	51	43%	42797	36496	19846	58%
53	Old Dominion University (VA)*	57%	-8%	424	33%	43840	42059	13060	60%
54	Univ. of NC–Pembroke (NC)*	44%	-2%	236	35%	33791	35450	10813	49%
55	Western Carolina University (NC)*	61%	-4%	343	32%	37333	39393	12591	66%
56	University of Georgia (GA)*	84%	-7%	919	19%	49784	51317	11808	72%
57	Warner University (FL)	52%	-20%	24	46%	40217	36766	16010	50%
58	Virginia State University (VA)*	45%	-9%	321	35%	34817	32872	14362	35%
59	Point University (GA)	52%	8%	31	38%	32288	35658	17393	49%
60	Jacksonville University (FL)	49%	7%	111	35%	48344	45284	23556	62%
61	Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)*	56%	-6%	388	36%	42379	45358	12341	66%
62	University of South Carolina–Aiken (SC)*	46%	-11%	85	33%	36996	34226	13380	60%
63	Virginia Military Institute (VA)*	76%	-9%	45	15%	63992	60577	8379	87%
64	University of Phoenix–Atlanta (GA)°	26%	-1%	45	54%	N/A	33970	17654	32%
65	North Carolina State Univ. (NC)*	77%	-8%	689	19%	50827	59503	10118	81%
66	University of North Florida (FL)*	66%	-6%	289	32%	43017	46510	9585	65%
67	Tuskegee University (AL)	66%	27%	239	24%	36640	44284	33605	52%
68	Wofford College (SC)	80%	0%	70	N/A	51461	50731	18769	84%
69	Claflin University (SC)	50%	-17%	156	34%	28659	25899	19434	31%
70	Catawba College (NC)	56%	-13%	53	31%	39032	37903	17522	69%
71	Florida Memorial University (FL)	42%	2%	101	45%	27123	29413	16941	22%
72	Dalton State College (GA)*	25%	-6%	48	52%	31368	32033	7471	47%
73	Fayetteville State University (NC)*	44%	-3%	163	41%	31179	34572	5392	35%
74	Univ. of North Carolina–Charlotte (NC)*	58%	-7%	647	28%	43627	46746	12830	70%
75	New College of Florida (FL)*	68%	0%	39	16%	N/A	34068	7881	72%
76	Francis Marion University (SC)*	45%	-1%	184	37%	33566	36230	10497	50%
77	Hodges University (FL)	38%	17%	7	63%	38820	41368	18911	37%
78	Columbia College (SC)	47%	-10%	52	43%	34199	32421	16276	52%
79	Columbia International University (SC)	69%	-12%	21	23%	30537	31645	16473	71%
80	Lander University (SC)*	47%	-19%	96	32%	34516	28865	12983	54%
81	Bethune-Cookman University (FL)	43%	-10%	248	41%	29619	28664	16291	27%
82	University of West Florida (FL)*	59%	-8%	238	36%	37869	45628	8306	61%
83	Clayton State University (GA)*	41%	-6%	95	39%	38593	39561	10453	45%
84	Regent University (VA)	45%	-10%	47	39%	41934	36411	17339	51%
85	University of North Georgia (GA)*	34%	-9%	131	35%	N/A	39415	8513	73%
86	Piedmont College (GA)	53%	-10%	44	34%	40710	34688	15741	56%
87	Lees-McRae College (NC)	53%	-10%	23	39%	34048	34746	18808	65%
88	Spelman College (GA)	76%	-14%	169	20%	47586	38653	36566	57%
89	Thomas University (GA)	22%	24%	6	44%	35895	35570	19889	45%
90	American Public Univ. System (WV)°	23%	-16%	117	55%	N/A	41745	10264	43%
91	Howard University (DC)	61%	17%	482	23%	48320	49815	29275	40%
92	Eastern Mennonite University (VA)	69%	-18%	39	32%	39607	42485	21444	85%
93	Ohio Valley University (WV)	39%	-7%	21	N/A	35135	34848	15952	61%
94	William Peace University (NC)	48%	-7%	37	31%	35357	35699	21038	61%
95	FL Agricultural & Mechanical Univ. (FL)*	49%	-10%	549	37%	37024	41228	13526	41%
96	University of Lynchburg (VA)	60%	-11%	99	29%	43254	42869	20363	76%
97	Saint Leo University (FL)	43%	-8%	116	49%	43802	43266	17233	44%
98	Barton College (NC)	49%	-16%	51	34%	37297	32183	21221	62%
99	Presbyterian College (SC)	66%	-7%	47	18%	43312	44775	15864	84%
100	Barry University (FL)	53%	-7%	126	44%	45675	44463	18039	51%
101	Bennett College (NC)	44%	-14%	47	34%	29388	21865	20650	33%
102	Univ. of NC–Wilmington (NC)*	73%	-7%	292	25%	41041	45410	14400	69%
103	West Liberty University (WV)*	53%	-12%	113	37%	35521	33778	11950	56%
104	Ferrum College (VA)	32%	-7%	93	39%	37544	36799	19589	56%
105	Christopher Newport Univ. (VA)*	70%	-6%	146	19%	45247	49277	18908	84%
106	Elon University (NC)	82%	-5%	101	8%	50143	48497	24141	91%
107	Chowan University (NC)	26%	-4%	105	38%	34139	28489	16252	40%
108	Greensboro College (NC)	41%	5%	32	34%	36310	35797	24881	62%
109	Alderson Broaddus University (WV)	44%	-17%	40	34%	44159	43170	15597	68%
110	Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)*	65%	-5%	660	27%	43422	45448	17611	62%
111	North Carolina Central Univ. (NC)*	46%	-4%	446	31%	32911	35244	11892	28%
112	Shepherd University (WV)*	48%	-11%	101	39%	39510	38914	8495	59%
113	Covenant College (GA)	62%	-6%	52	N/A	40807	39587	19069	81%
114	Agnes Scott College (GA)	71%	-8%	91	21%	39043	39975	18187	66%
115	Sweet Briar College (VA)	67%	-8%	29	19%	38954	37707	20872	82%
116	Marymount University (VA)	62%	-13%	51	28%	53015	49437	22634	74%
117	Georgia Gwinnett College (GA)*	30%	-3%	172	36%	N/A	42800	12223	44%
118	Clemson University (SC)*	81%	-14%	373	17%	52450	58514	14955	83%
119	Toccoa Falls College (GA)	52%	-11%	49	30%	27543	31468	19475	72%
120	Gallaudet University (DC)	56%	-7%	45	32%	29311	29573	14907	62%
121	Davis & Elkins College (WV)	46%	-13%	30	43%	36750	33679	15653	58%
122	Reinhardt University (GA)	46%	1%	37	36%	37139	40673	20066	62%
123	Limestone College (SC)	52%	-20%	25	44%	37611	34429	23029	47%
124	West Virginia University (WV)*	59%	-14%	647	31%	45329	46116	9727	66%
125	American University (DC)	80%	-4%	252	15%	59916	57831	23878	83%
126	Univ. of North Carolina–Asheville (NC)*	64%	-3%	94	21%	35133	41549	9818	65%
127	Southern Wesleyan University (SC)	51%	-17%	38	41%	40966	39971	15049	52%
128	Furman University (SC)	82%	-9%	68	12%	48923	50094	19770	88%
129	Virginia University of Lynchburg (VA)	22%	9%	4	51%	N/A	29049	17248	16%
130	GA Southwestern State Univ. (GA)*	44%	-9%	43	35%	36180	36294	11797	53%
131	Rasmussen College–Florida (FL)°	26%	19%	3	48%	32159	33080	17688	34%
132	Converse College (SC)	57%	-11%	45	28%	32697	30856	18201	64%
133	Winthrop University (SC)*	56%	-10%	231	29%	36871	38020	15866	57%
134	Coker University (SC)	54%	-8%	40	38%	32466	35504	15822	49%
135	Norfolk State University (VA)*	43%	-13%	163	38%	34740	34598	13825	33%
136	West Virginia Wesleyan College (WV)	54%	-20%	60	31%	42329	40523	16007	73%
137	LaGrange College (GA)	51%	-10%	37	26%	40648	41135	19268	63%
138	Morris College (SC)	34%	-10%	63	43%	23758	26131	16224	19%
139	Newberry College (SC)	49%	-1%	67	31%	33793	38845	19174	59%
140	Amer. InterCont. Univ.–Atlanta (GA)°	20%	-3%	11	56%	39889	37659	17594	32%
141	Judson College (AL)	36%	-7%	14	44%	28347	29378	16065	59%
142	University of West Georgia (GA)*	45%	-5%	399	32%	38291	37076	14372	53%
143	Bluefield State College (WV)*	41%	-20%	19	52%	27791	31188	8231	38%
144	Shorter University (GA)	47%	-17%	51	38%	44600	37035	18358	47%
145	College of Charleston (SC)*	67%	-8%	291	20%	41157	45139	16414	67%
146	Strayer University–Florida (FL)°	22%	0%	0	53%	48501	41813	24541	30%
147	Herzing University–Atlanta (GA)°	33%	-12%	1	53%	41020	37958	23108	35%
148	Wingate University (NC)	50%	-16%	91	30%	41292	38024	16089	71%
149	University of Miami (FL)	81%	-5%	264	19%	58653	64682	21051	80%
150	University of Montevallo (AL)*	51%	-13%	85	34%	34797	35701	15825	62%
151	Georgia Southern University (GA)*	54%	-7%	707	25%	41414	41873	14657	58%
152	University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)*	56%	-12%	281	34%	41217	46537	15769	58%
153	Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC)	53%	-18%	65	30%	37668	38236	17946	71%
154	Fort Valley State University (GA)*	31%	-2%	183	34%	29597	28942	13192	28%
155	Alabama A&M University (AL)*	35%	-9%	150	38%	31043	33693	14799	33%
156	Valdosta State University (GA)*	43%	-12%	337	31%	38218	34072	13610	52%
157	Living Arts College (NC)°	53%	-15%	16	42%	29417	25321	24953	29%
158	Marshall University (WV)*	49%	-17%	341	38%	35291	32437	7471	49%
159	Virginia Wesleyan University (VA)	51%	-7%	84	32%	39806	37820	23082	66%
160	Glenville State College (WV)*	29%	1%	39	48%	31697	32707	14922	40%
161	Pfeiffer University (NC)	49%	-9%	34	36%	37800	38918	20561	65%
162	West Virginia Univ. Inst. of Tech. (WV)*	24%	-14%	24	31%	45329	44349	7777	66%
163	Altierus Career College–Tampa (FL)°	51%	-22%	0	61%	26722	31067	19521	16%
164	Stillman College (AL)	28%	-10%	54	41%	27592	26185	14184	26%
165	Univ. of the District of Columbia (DC)*	27%	0%	22	52%	35096	39977	16284	38%
166	Emory and Henry College (VA)	54%	-16%	50	29%	40020	40810	15635	77%
167	University of North Alabama (AL)*	43%	-16%	156	37%	37538	38154	11008	57%
168	Stetson University (FL)	65%	-10%	156	25%	42645	45558	24355	73%
169	Auburn University (AL)*	73%	-15%	343	18%	48184	50261	20215	78%
170	Savannah State University (GA)*	32%	-3%	244	33%	31275	34568	10106	26%
171	Trinity Baptist College (FL)	36%	-21%	10	36%	30566	31132	15041	58%
172	North Carolina A&T State Univ. (NC)*	48%	-12%	523	29%	34304	37622	9520	34%
173	Mars Hill University (NC)	39%	-11%	81	35%	31866	39650	15122	60%
174	Strayer University–DC (DC)°	19%	0%	0	53%	48501	45362	23550	30%
175	Bridgewater College (VA)	61%	-14%	80	31%	42338	46356	17462	82%
176	Erskine College and Seminary (SC)	58%	-9%	33	23%	38301	42731	26267	80%
177	University of West Alabama (AL)*	32%	-11%	52	39%	36573	33767	12867	43%
178	Georgia College & State Univ. (GA)*	61%	-7%	145	20%	40399	44265	17412	73%
179	Rollins College (FL)	69%	0%	76	23%	44951	46981	25844	62%
180	Univ. of South Carolina–Columbia (SC)*	71%	-12%	578	20%	44272	51575	15364	73%
181	Kennesaw State University (GA)*	49%	-5%	538	28%	41888	46274	16313	61%
182	Benedict College (SC)	35%	-9%	191	43%	23428	30080	19942	17%
183	Mercer University (GA)	62%	-11%	113	29%	48230	50385	18647	57%
184	Coastal Carolina University (SC)*	48%	-9%	315	28%	38080	43123	14436	64%
185	University of Mobile (AL)	49%	-26%	35	33%	35813	34329	15001	52%
186	Huntingdon College (AL)	48%	-20%	36	33%	38513	40283	18602	61%
187	Hollins University (VA)	58%	-7%	33	27%	33918	33594	17753	62%
188	Roanoke College (VA)	66%	-7%	85	21%	44830	46377	23286	83%
189	South University–Montgomery (AL)°	21%	5%	1	48%	31458	31567	20925	28%
190	Full Sail University (FL)°	46%	-28%	1426	39%	38101	37081	26599	43%
191	Randolph College (VA)	57%	-9%	28	25%	40538	39019	22426	74%
192	South Univ.–Virginia Beach (VA)°	19%	14%	3	48%	31458	32096	22168	28%
193	Middle Georgia State Univ. (GA)*	23%	-4%	36	38%	N/A	35198	9115	38%
194	Miles College (AL)	24%	-6%	81	42%	26378	30564	15699	19%
195	Campbell University (NC)	49%	-15%	141	32%	45153	46064	21494	71%
196	Albany State University (GA)*	33%	-13%	206	35%	32405	30011	11992	26%
197	South Carolina State University (SC)*	40%	-13%	181	37%	29646	31232	21502	31%
198	Randolph-Macon College (VA)	61%	-9%	69	24%	47631	48119	21349	81%
199	St. Andrews University (NC)	36%	1%	17	36%	35728	34711	23148	51%
200	Montreat College (NC)	50%	-12%	12	31%	38277	42413	17873	61%
201	Shaw University (NC)	29%	-9%	67	40%	28135	30964	18028	21%
202	West Virginia State University (WV)*	28%	-8%	39	43%	30057	33547	10234	40%
203	Saint Augustine's University (NC)	33%	-8%	99	36%	26438	33170	25728	33%
204	Warren Wilson College (NC)	53%	6%	44	20%	26692	37909	21258	78%
205	North Greenville University (SC)	54%	-2%	110	27%	32410	38551	22707	63%
206	Art Inst. of Virginia Beach (VA)°	36%	-15%	7	37%	31249	29041	22384	34%
207	Paine College (GA)	21%	-8%	30	40%	27700	26316	16924	21%
208	Berry College (GA)	63%	-11%	100	17%	39716	46105	19076	78%
209	Auburn Univ. at Montgomery (AL)*	32%	-9%	78	38%	34668	38000	13584	48%
210	University of Tampa (FL)	60%	-5%	201	24%	47050	48752	26910	72%
211	Livingstone College (NC)	28%	-6%	70	41%	23460	29170	17072	17%
212	Alabama State University (AL)*	30%	-18%	255	36%	27568	29589	13347	27%
213	Columbus State University (GA)*	36%	-11%	167	33%	35910	37396	11232	42%
214	University of Phoenix–Orlando (FL)°	38%	-1%	38	54%	N/A	50002	16897	32%
215	Brewton-Parker College (GA)	24%	-5%	14	40%	31866	32421	17956	54%
216	Fairmont State University (WV)*	39%	-17%	94	42%	33535	36572	8616	48%
217	Strayer Univ.–North Carolina (NC)°	19%	-33%	0	53%	48501	38744	24530	30%
218	Oglethorpe University (GA)	47%	-5%	48	22%	43145	42439	19159	62%
219	University of South Alabama (AL)*	42%	-15%	273	34%	38159	39433	12757	51%
220	Samford University (AL)	69%	-9%	64	14%	48313	48348	25313	79%
221	St. Thomas University (FL)	48%	-2%	53	40%	47491	53048	18403	56%
222	Anderson University (SC)	51%	-6%	99	27%	35088	40197	18902	66%
223	Clark Atlanta University (GA)	41%	-11%	205	32%	35428	33737	32541	38%
224	Belmont Abbey College (NC)	48%	-13%	35	28%	37398	39813	19807	50%
225	Beacon College (FL)	64%	-3%	4	N/A	N/A	51111	32690	58%
226	Brevard College (NC)	45%	-14%	22	28%	30449	37823	19300	65%
227	ECPI University (VA)°	52%	-8%	62	48%	36409	46530	19899	35%
228	Catholic University of America (DC)	69%	-9%	71	11%	56663	57212	29006	84%
229	Charleston Southern University (SC)	40%	-13%	94	31%	36929	41004	15466	58%
230	Young Harris College (GA)	44%	-11%	42	28%	37984	39482	16609	69%
231	Southeastern University (FL)	45%	-10%	87	33%	34024	39461	22141	66%
232	Wesleyan College (GA)	47%	-25%	23	37%	33883	34088	12995	53%
233	Virginia Union University (VA)	33%	-2%	82	41%	32130	35738	20242	26%
234	Gardner-Webb University (NC)	61%	-18%	86	36%	38042	42759	19580	63%
235	Bethany College (WV)	44%	-27%	33	34%	40610	38243	18279	69%
236	Allen University (SC)	28%	-8%	34	50%	22522	29989	14822	17%
237	Truett McConnell University (GA)	33%	-10%	24	31%	32955	37015	16272	56%
238	Keiser University (FL)	59%	-12%	64	47%	30970	37521	29085	33%
239	Florida Institute of Technology (FL)	59%	-8%	85	42%	58888	58463	27418	47%
240	Jacksonville State University (AL)*	43%	-15%	206	39%	35874	39460	16396	46%
241	Everglades University (FL)	52%	-15%	213	41%	42134	45241	26447	41%
242	Hampden-Sydney College (VA)	66%	-4%	43	N/A	51252	56012	26521	79%
243	Palm Bch. Atl. Univ.–W. Palm Bch. (FL)	51%	-10%	72	25%	39841	42409	21565	63%
244	Queens University of Charlotte (NC)	58%	-16%	53	25%	40004	45863	19764	65%
245	Faulkner University (AL)	45%	-15%	31	43%	36950	41472	23397	41%
246	Southern Virginia University (VA)	35%	-6%	21	20%	34761	34013	16976	64%
247	Florida Southern College (FL)	58%	-13%	97	27%	40560	48781	21732	69%
248	Troy University (AL)*	30%	-21%	220	40%	36894	39205	12693	41%
249	DeVry University–Decatur (GA)°	26%	-31%	10	50%	N/A	45636	26976	42%
250	DeVry University–Miramar (FL)°	27%	-11%	17	50%	N/A	48625	27645	42%
251	Guilford College (NC)	52%	-8%	59	26%	37489	42773	21652	58%
252	South University–Columbia (SC)°	23%	-8%	4	48%	31458	35153	20675	28%
253	University of Alabama–Huntsville (AL)*	50%	-14%	80	31%	46904	55823	18395	60%
254	University of Alabama (AL)*	67%	-19%	617	23%	43932	49667	20066	64%
255	Spring Hill College (AL)	52%	-22%	46	27%	44342	44874	13615	65%
256	Univ. of South Carolina–Beaufort (SC)*	32%	-4%	49	32%	34692	40235	14526	55%
257	Shenandoah University (VA)	64%	-15%	52	27%	43055	47069	24953	66%
258	Edward Waters College (FL)	22%	-10%	36	48%	24872	32625	13288	22%
259	Emmanuel College (GA)	41%	-34%	24	33%	32188	35251	16027	53%
260	High Point University (NC)	63%	-9%	82	14%	38899	39849	34515	66%
261	Meredith College (NC)	58%	-15%	72	23%	38347	43053	21833	71%
262	University of Charleston (WV)	42%	-30%	28	44%	42462	47316	15940	66%
263	Liberty University (VA)	44%	-25%	439	43%	36589	35332	25272	50%
264	Morehouse College (GA)	52%	-8%	136	19%	42860	44472	34329	39%
265	Webber International University (FL)	37%	-23%	14	36%	35728	42453	22789	51%
266	Oakwood University (AL)	47%	-22%	71	18%	32643	35300	25230	33%
267	Hampton University (VA)	53%	-17%	171	21%	43415	47317	28957	51%
268	Johnson C. Smith University (NC)	45%	-26%	79	35%	29804	33447	18792	27%
269	Stratford University (VA)°	30%	-25%	0	49%	34234	43379	21821	34%
270	Lynn University (FL)	53%	-8%	37	26%	39275	45985	32845	60%
271	Birmingham-Southern College (AL)	64%	-20%	34	18%	46452	52273	21836	76%
272	Eckerd College (FL)	64%	-12%	59	20%	42238	49394	27163	69%
273	Methodist University (NC)	33%	-22%	46	32%	39759	41389	30485	58%
274	Nova Southeastern University (FL)	47%	-17%	111	37%	45856	55010	24007	49%
275	Talladega College (AL)	27%	-46%	66	43%	24125	26591	14835	19%
276	Strayer University–Arlington (VA)°	29%	-39%	0	53%	48501	50724	24792	30%
277	Ave Maria University (FL)	54%	-11%	36	20%	N/A	51168	15736	60%
278	Salem University (WV)°	23%	-20%	4	53%	28755	39619	20580	30%

Definitions:

Median earnings: median annual earnings 10 years after entering college.

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

First-gen students: percent of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Predicted median earnings: expected median annual earnings based on student demographic data, adjusted for institutions’ location and academic mission.

Net price: actual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the last three years.

2020 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Southeast

Definitions:

Median earnings: median annual earnings 10 years after entering college.

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

First-gen students: percent of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Predicted median earnings: expected median annual earnings based on student demographic data, adjusted for institutions’ location and academic mission.

Net price: actual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the last three years.

Loan repayment rate: percent of students who pay back at least $1 in loan principal within 5 years of leaving college.

* = public
° = for-profit

Definitions:

Median earnings: median annual earnings 10 years after entering college.

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

First-gen students: percent of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Predicted median earnings: expected median annual earnings based on student demographic data, adjusted for institutions’ location and academic mission.

Net price: actual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the last three years.

Loan repayment rate: percent of students who pay back at least $1 in loan principal within 5 years of leaving college.

* = public ° = for-profit

* = public
° = for-profit