Home to 520 ranked institutions, the South offers a diverse higher education landscape ranging from research powerhouses like Florida International University to specialized regional colleges. With 39% public universities and 61% private colleges, graduates earn a median of $50,640 ten years after enrollment—$5,177 lower than the national average but reflecting the region's varied economic sectors.
Graduates from Southern institutions earn between $21,256 and $103,494 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating the significant impact of program selection on career outcomes. The University of Texas at Austin produces graduates earning $75,121, while Florida International University leads the overall rankings with its highest Azimuth Score of 2.4, showing how comprehensive institutional quality drives long-term success.
While Florida International University dominates the rankings, students seeking accessible admissions should consider this Miami-based institution's 58% acceptance rate. With graduates earning $60,249—nearly $10,000 above the regional median earnings—it proves that strong career outcomes don't require exclusive admissions, making it an ideal choice for students prioritizing both accessibility and results.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Fort Worth, TX | $50,928 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,334 | — | — | |
| #22 | Tampa, FL | $62,079 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,122 | 43.2% | 76.8% | |
| #23 | Florida State UniversityPublic | Tallahassee, FL | $66,924 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,938 | 24.2% | 85.6% |
| #24 | College Park, MD | $84,365 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,962 | 44.8% | 88.6% | |
| #25 | Richardson, TX | $76,497 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,814 | 65.1% | 75.7% | |
| #26 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $101,204 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,414 | 5.9% | 93.5% |
| #27 | Duke UniversityPrivate | Durham, NC | $115,722 Median Earnings (4yr) | $735 | 5.7% | 96.8% |
| #28 | Houston, TX | $60,550 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,439 | 90.0% | 33.2% | |
| #29 | Baton Rouge, LA | $66,893 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,056 | 73.3% | 68.8% | |
| #30 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Houston, TX | $110,080 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,827 | 8.0% | 94.6% |
| #31 | Lone Star College SystemPublic | The Woodlands, TX | $52,634 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,657 | — | 21.1% |
| #32 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | Lubbock, TX | $66,144 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,457 | 72.7% | 68.7% |
| #33 | Charlottesville, VA | $91,448 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,174 | 16.8% | 95.6% | |
| #34 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | Baltimore, MD | $117,419 Median Earnings (4yr) | $428 | 6.4% | 93.8% |
| #35 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | Lynchburg, VA | $57,700 Median Earnings (4yr) | $30,667 | 99.0% | 65.3% |
| #36 | Tampa, FL | $49,784 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,839 | — | 34.2% | |
| #37 | Broward CollegePublic | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $49,843 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,467 | — | 39.1% |
| #38 | Charlotte, NC | $65,370 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,357 | 79.6% | 69.0% | |
| #39 | Norman, OK | $73,280 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,509 | 76.6% | 75.3% | |
| #40 | Raleigh, NC | $75,943 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,382 | 41.7% | 84.8% |
