2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in Southeast
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in Southeast? This list ranks 1502 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 1106 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in Southeast
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year in Southeast. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $13,296. Get the full Duke University report
Out of the 1106 schools in Southeast in this year's ranking, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
You'll be in good company at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Science & Tech students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
The strong Science & Tech programs at Vanderbilt University earned it the #4 place in Southeast. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Vanderbilt University Science & Tech students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. More on Vanderbilt University
You'll be in good company at Wake Forest University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. More on Wake Forest University
Elon University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Elon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Elon University Science & Tech students take on a median of $21,619 in debt. More on Elon University
Virginia Military Institute ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,309 in student loans. Read more about Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #8 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $23,393. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Emory University landed the #10 spot in Southeast this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Emory University report
American Public University System ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. American Public University System Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,438 in debt. More on American Public University System
Sewanee The University Of The South ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Sewanee, TN, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Sewanee The University Of The South Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,091 in debt. Read the full report on Sewanee The University Of The South
Randolph Macon College landed the #13 spot in Southeast this year. Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit school based in Ashland, VA. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,466. Students borrow a median of $26,432 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Randolph Macon College
College Of William And Mary placed #14 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Set in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $18,935. Read more about College Of William And Mary
James Madison University placed #15 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. James Madison University Science & Tech students take on a median of $21,218 in debt. See the full James Madison University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #16 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,113 in debt. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Columbia Southern University placed #17 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school based in Orange Beach, AL. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Columbia Southern University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,447 in debt. Read more about Columbia Southern University
University Of Richmond placed #18 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Based in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. See the full University Of Richmond profile
University Of Florida Online placed #19 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $17,779. Get the full University Of Florida Online report
Rasmussen College Florida landed the #20 spot in Southeast this year. Set in Ocala, FL, Rasmussen College Florida is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,256. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Rasmussen College Florida report
University Of Georgia landed the #21 spot in Southeast this year. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. University Of Georgia Science & Tech students take on a median of $21,792 in debt. See the full University Of Georgia profile
University Of Florida landed the #22 spot in Southeast this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $17,669. Read more about University Of Florida
Auburn University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,803. See the full Auburn University profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #24 spot in Southeast this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Daytona Beach, FL. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,074. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,845 in debt. Get the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach report
Herzing University Kenner landed the #25 spot in Southeast this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Metairie, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. The median Science & Tech program debt is $33,897. More on Herzing University Kenner
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in Southeast
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Wofford College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Spartanburg, SC, Wofford College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $56,005. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,643. More on Wofford College
Clemson University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Clemson University
Belmont University did well this year, earning the #28 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $23,447. See the full Belmont University profile
George Mason University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about George Mason University
Christopher Newport University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Newport News, VA, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. Christopher Newport University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Christopher Newport University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,094 in debt. Read the full report on Christopher Newport University
Trident Technical College landed the #31 spot in Southeast this year. Located in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. See the full Trident Technical College profile
Furman University placed #32 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Located in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Furman University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. See the full Furman University profile
Edison State College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Fort Myers, FL, Edison State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Edison State College
Herzing University Birmingham came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Birmingham, AL, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 25% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Graduates carry a median of $29,954 in student loans. More on Herzing University Birmingham
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,305. See the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina profile
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #36 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a public school based in Lexington, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Bluegrass Community And Technical College Science & Tech students take on a median of $13,366 in debt. Read more about Bluegrass Community And Technical College
University Of Charleston landed the #37 spot in Southeast this year. Set in Charleston, WV, University Of Charleston is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,617. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $22,646. Read more about University Of Charleston
Northern Virginia Community College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. The median Science & Tech program debt is $14,413. Read more about Northern Virginia Community College
Herzing University Atlanta landed the #39 spot in Southeast this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Herzing University Atlanta graduates 18% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $34,030. See the full Herzing University Atlanta profile
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #40 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Set in Marietta, GA, Chattahoochee Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Chattahoochee Technical College Science & Tech students take on a median of $9,616 in debt. Get the full Chattahoochee Technical College report
Piedmont College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Demorest, GA, Piedmont College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,700. The median Science & Tech program debt is $29,975. See the full Piedmont College profile
Meredith College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Raleigh, NC, Meredith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,630. Graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. More on Meredith College
Augusta University landed the #43 spot in Southeast this year. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,745. Read the full report on Augusta University
Berry College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Mount Berry, GA, Berry College is a private not-for-profit institution. Berry College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,486. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,797. Get the full Berry College report
Roanoke College landed the #45 spot in Southeast this year. Set in Salem, VA, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $38,068. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Roanoke College
Shenandoah University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winchester, VA. Shenandoah University posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Shenandoah University profile
The University Of Tennessee placed #47 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,859. More on The University Of Tennessee
Hillsborough Community College landed the #48 spot in Southeast this year. Hillsborough Community College is a public school based in Tampa, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Hillsborough Community College
Wake Technical Community College placed #49 among Science & Tech schools in Southeast. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $17,900. Read the full report on Wake Technical Community College
Eastern Mennonite University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit institution. Eastern Mennonite University graduates 67% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,920. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,415. Read more about Eastern Mennonite University
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Region · 1106 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1502 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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