2023 Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 1,479 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Liberty University the most popular school in the Southeast Region for students working on their degree. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24,308 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,497 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 1,479 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the # 2 spot on the list. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19,318 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCF accumulate an average of $22,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $211 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCF graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,595 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Miami, Florida, the large public school awarded 18,483 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from FIU accumulate an average of $23,098 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $93 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FIU graduates make an average of $47,774 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Valencia College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. Valencia College is a large public school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 18,199 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,372 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $83.After graduating from Valencia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,350 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Miami Dade College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. MDC is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17,521 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,593 in student loans.After graduating from MDC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,255 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #6, University of Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the large public school handed out 17,268 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UF accumulate an average of $18,875 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $207.After graduating from UF, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,332 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This large public school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 14,828 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from USF Tampa accumulate an average of $24,223 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $177. During the early years of their career, USF Tampa graduates make an average of $45,747 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Read full report on University of South Florida - Main Campus
American Public University System landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This large private for-profit school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 14,306 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,070 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, American Military University graduates make an average of $51,395 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Broward College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the large public school awarded 13,738 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,086 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,319 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Florida State University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13,129 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,926 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $171 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Florida State graduates make an average of $44,027 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Georgia ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Athens, Georgia, the large public school awarded 13,166 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,110 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $222, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UGA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,768 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
George Mason University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large public school handed out 10,774 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,883 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $355, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, GMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,435 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
North Carolina State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 10,643 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NC State accumulate an average of $20,889 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $285 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NC State graduates make an average of $49,709 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Alabama came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UA is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,311 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UA accumulate an average of $24,032 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $629. Once they receive their degree, UA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,898 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #15, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the large public school handed out 10,191 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,887 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $403.After graduating from UofSC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,342 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Virginia Tech ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 10,192 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,405 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Virginia Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,444 during the early years of their career. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 9,948 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNC Chapel Hill accumulate an average of $16,358 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $300, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNC Chapel Hill graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,808 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. FSCJ is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,256 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,613 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, FSCJ graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,241 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Georgia Tech is a public institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,219 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,699 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $444 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Georgia Tech graduates make an average of $72,002 annually. Around 32% of those degree recipients were women.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school handed out 8,894 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,809 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Northern Virginia Community College graduates make an average of $37,967 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,764 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,912 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $193, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNC Charlotte, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,346 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. This large public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 8,698 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $383 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Virginia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,809 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,628 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from FAU accumulate an average of $21,373 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $160, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FAU graduates make an average of $43,652 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 8,408 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,490 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Wake Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,991 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
University of Kentucky landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,208 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UK accumulate an average of $23,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $389, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UK, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,675 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
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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