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Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

169 Schools Ranked
$22,080 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 169 schools in the Southeast Region to see which online graduate certificate programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
1,102 Total Awards
$8,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Liberty University the most popular school in the Southeast Region for students working on their graduate certificate. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,102 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Liberty University Report

710 Total Awards
$6,422 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Arkansas State University - Main Campus is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. A-State is a fairly large public school situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It awarded 710 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Arkansas State University - Main Campus Report

#3

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
840 Total Awards
$16,644 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Mason University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large public school awarded 840 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.

Full George Mason University Report

#4

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
550 Total Awards
$7,594 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 169 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, East Carolina University landed the # 4 spot on the list. East Carolina University is a large public school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 550 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

Around 80% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on East Carolina University

#5

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
502 Total Awards
$7,713 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 502 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 82% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#5

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
404 Total Awards
$7,050 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means American Public University System is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, the large private for-profit school handed out 404 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.

Since the graduate programs at American Military University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read More…

#7

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia
428 Total Awards
$7,224 Average Tuition & Fees

Kennesaw State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. This large public school is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and it awarded 428 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Kennesaw State University Report

#8

University of West Georgia

Carrollton, Georgia
368 Total Awards
$6,488 Average Tuition & Fees

University of West Georgia landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. University of West Georgia is a fairly large public school situated in Carrollton, Georgia. It awarded 368 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of West Georgia

#9

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, Georgia
227 Total Awards
$6,784 Average Tuition & Fees

Valdosta State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. VSU is a public institution located in Valdosta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 227 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Valdosta State University Report

#10

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
360 Total Awards
$11,826 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Auburn University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Auburn, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 360 students in 2020-2021.

Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 35% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Auburn University Report

#11

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
449 Total Awards
$11,703 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,885 Avg Student Debt

North Carolina State University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. North Carolina State University is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 449 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $18,885 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#12

University of West Alabama

Livingston, Alabama
186 Total Awards
$6,868 Average Tuition & Fees

University of West Alabama landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. University of West Alabama is a medium-sized public school located in Livingston, Alabama that handed out 186 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of West Alabama Report

#12

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia
222 Total Awards
$7,444 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,834 Avg Student Debt

Augusta University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Augusta University is a medium-sized public school situated in Augusta, Georgia. It awarded 222 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Augusta University accumulate an average of $21,834 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Augusta University

#14

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
195 Total Awards

Western Kentucky University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 195 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#15

Belhaven University

Jackson, Mississippi
181 Total Awards
$10,980 Average Tuition & Fees

Belhaven University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Jackson, Mississippi is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 181 students in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 97% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Belhaven University Report

#16

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
342 Total Awards
$13,674 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Kentucky landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 342 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 57% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#17

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
1,016 Total Awards
$12,737 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, University of Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the large public school handed out 1,016 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
165 Total Awards
$8,426 Average Tuition & Fees

University of South Alabama ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 165 students in 2020-2021.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#19

Frontier Nursing University

Hyden, Kentucky
125 Total Awards
$20,780 Average Tuition & Fees

Frontier Nursing University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hyden, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 125 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Frontier Nursing University. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

#20

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
328 Total Awards
$11,796 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Clemson University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 328 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 69% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#21

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
267 Total Awards
$8,007 Average Tuition & Fees

Appalachian State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 267 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Appalachian State University

#22

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
194 Total Awards
$20,906 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large public school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 194 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 75% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Virginia - Main Campus

#23

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
139 Total Awards
$13,224 Average Tuition & Fees

Old Dominion University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 139 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Old Dominion University

#24

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
237 Total Awards
$10,908 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Memphis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 237 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Memphis Report

#25

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
250 Total Awards
$13,725 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,397 Avg Student Debt

University of Louisville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Louisville is a large public school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 250 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $12,397 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 68% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

View Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:

Rank School Location
27 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
28 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
29 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
30 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
31 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
32 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
33 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
34 Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA
34 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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