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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #781 | Stevenson UniversityPrivate | Owings Mills, MD | $66,853 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,894 | 78.9% | 68.5% |
| #782 | Moorefield, WV | $40,526 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,392 | — | — | |
| #783 | Andrew CollegePrivate | Cuthbert, GA | $47,329 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,107 | 45.7% | 32.8% |
| #784 | Morehead City, NC | $41,388 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,411 | — | — | |
| #785 | Danville, VA | $40,486 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,343 | — | — | |
| #786 | Port Arthur, TX | $46,272 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,137 | — | — | |
| #787 | Orlando, FL | $69,903 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,917 | — | 33.3% | |
| #788 | University Of Mount OlivePrivate | Mount Olive, NC | $57,606 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,227 | 75.8% | 51.8% |
| #789 | King UniversityPrivate | Bristol, TN | $61,394 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,696 | 99.7% | 47.9% |
| #790 | Live Oak, FL | $42,040 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,143 | — | — | |
| #791 | Polkton, NC | $46,657 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,948 | — | — | |
| #792 | Clary Sage CollegePrivate | Tulsa, OK | $31,820 Median Earnings (4yr) | $21,490 | — | — |
| #793 | Criswell CollegePrivate | Dallas, TX | $66,210 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,353 | 100.0% | 50.0% |
| #794 | Salem CollegePrivate | Winston-Salem, NC | $49,227 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,074 | 76.7% | 57.4% |
| #795 | Presbyterian CollegePrivate | Clinton, SC | $57,042 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,277 | 68.4% | 51.5% |
| #796 | Concordia University TexasPrivate | Austin, TX | $64,701 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,764 | 91.3% | 44.6% |
| #797 | Huntington Junior CollegePrivate | Huntington, WV | $28,491 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,503 | — | — |
| #798 | Bluffton, SC | $49,235 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,397 | 72.5% | 34.0% | |
| #799 | Baton Rouge, LA | $63,699 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,014 | 98.7% | 45.5% | |
| #800 | Bob Jones UniversityPrivate | Greenville, SC | $46,177 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,287 | — | 64.8% |
