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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Grad Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 461 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones were the most popular programs 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 located in Lynchburg, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12,328 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $30,497 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $420 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Liberty University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,489 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. This large public school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 6,890 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,875 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $207 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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, 54% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a great place for students. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 5,340 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,699 in student loans. 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 27% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus
Out of the 461 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Nova Southeastern University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 4,648 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,779 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $405. During the early years of their career, NUS Florida graduates make an average of $61,266 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,343 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,098 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $93, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from FIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,774 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Duke University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 4,335 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,762 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $727. During the early years of their career, Duke graduates make an average of $71,290 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
With a ranking of #7, George Mason University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large public school handed out 4,386 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $355. During the early years of their career, GMU graduates make an average of $56,435 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #8, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 4,271 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,223 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $177, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USF Tampa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,747 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
North Carolina State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 3,978 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,889 in loans while pursuing 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.After graduating from NC State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,709 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
University of Central Florida landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. University of Central Florida is a large public school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 3,713 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,607 in loans while pursuing 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 64% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,451 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,358 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $300 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNC Chapel Hill graduates make an average of $51,808 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. This large public school is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and it awarded 3,287 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,869 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $244.After graduating from UAB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,494 during the early years of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Louisiana State University - Shreveport ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and it awarded 3,263 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Louisiana State University - Shreveport accumulate an average of $29,179 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Louisiana State University - Shreveport graduates make an average of $36,501 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
American Public University System did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. This large private for-profit school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 3,237 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,070 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, American Military University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,395 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
University of the Cumberlands ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Williamsburg, Kentucky that handed out 3,247 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,361 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $86 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cumberlands graduates make an average of $43,758 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #16, Florida State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 3,207 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $171.After graduating from Florida State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,027 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This large public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 3,158 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from University of Virginia accumulate an average of $18,266 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 $383. 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, 51% were women.
University of Georgia landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. University of Georgia is a large public school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 3,190 degrees 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.After graduating from UGA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,768 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,906 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UofSC accumulate an average of $23,887 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $403, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UofSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,342 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Campbellsville University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,848 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,378 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Campbellsville University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,915 during the early year of their career. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #21, University of Miami did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,684 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from U Miami accumulate an average of $17,771 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $530, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, U Miami graduates make an average of $45,957 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Arkansas State University - 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. Arkansas State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Jonesboro, Arkansas that handed out 2,648 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,258 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $141 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, A-State graduates make an average of $42,182 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Georgia State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Georgia State is located in Atlanta, Georgia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,569 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $27,737 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $138 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Georgia State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,507 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
University of Kentucky ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,524 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $389.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, 60% were women.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #25 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 2,406 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. Once they receive their degree, UNC Charlotte graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,346 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients 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:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
| 52 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY |
| 53 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL |
| 54 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC |
| 55 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL |
| 56 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide | Daytona Beach, FL |
| 57 | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | Wilmington, NC |
| 58 | Troy University | Troy, AL |
| 59 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA |
| 60 | Barry University | Miami, FL |
| 61 | The University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL |
| 62 | Marshall University | Huntington, WV |
| 63 | Belhaven University | Jackson, MS |
| 64 | University of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA |
| 65 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN |
| 66 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA |
| 67 | William & Mary | Williamsburg, VA |
| 68 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS |
| 69 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY |
| 70 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL |
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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