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Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

$13,747 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,080 Avg Student Debt*

There are so many business programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Business Degree Central has developed this <nil> ranking.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, Alabama
25 Total Awards
$4,035 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,086 Avg Student Debt

Our rankings named Columbia Southern University the best value school in the Southeast Region for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Orange Beach, Alabama, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 25 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Columbia Southern University are $4,035 a year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $31,086 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Columbia Southern University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Columbia Southern University Report

#2

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
113 Total Awards
#17 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$7,050 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #2 on our list. American Military University is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 113 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

American Military University graduate students pay an average of $7,050 in tuition and fees each year.

American Military University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, American Military University also did well on our list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#3

Furman University

Greenville, South Carolina
3 Total Awards
#13 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$7,513 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Furman University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s list. Furman is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, South Carolina. It awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Furman graduate students pay an average of $7,513 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Furman does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 8% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Furman also did well on our list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Furman University

#4

Liberty University

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

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Liberty University is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 118 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Liberty University graduate students pay an average of $8,360 in tuition and fees each year.

Liberty University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#5

Herzing University - Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia
1 Total Awards
$11,680 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Herzing University - Atlanta. It ranked #5 on our list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Herzing University - Atlanta graduate students pay an average of $11,680 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Herzing University - Atlanta. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#6

Herzing University - Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
2 Total Awards
$11,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Herzing University - Birmingham came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the ranking. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and it awarded 2 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Herzing University - Birmingham graduate students pay an average of $11,680 in tuition and fees each year.

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

Read More…

#7

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
1 Total Awards
$11,643 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Anderson University South Carolina did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Anderson University South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anderson, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Anderson University South Carolina graduate students pay an average of $11,643 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Anderson University South Carolina does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Anderson University South Carolina Report

#8

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina
5 Total Awards
$10,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Gardner - Webb University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the ranking. Gardner - Webb University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina that handed out 5 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Gardner - Webb graduate students pay an average of $10,130 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at Gardner - Webb, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 59% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Gardner - Webb University

#9

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
56 Total Awards
#1 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$33,520 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s list. University of Virginia is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at University of Virginia are $33,520 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at University of Virginia. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.

University of Virginia did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our list.

Read full report on University of Virginia - Main Campus

#10

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, Louisiana
28 Total Awards
$12,690 Average Tuition & Fees

Louisiana Tech University ranked #10 on this year’s list. This fairly large public school is located in Ruston, Louisiana, and it awarded 28 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Louisiana Tech graduate students pay an average of $12,690 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Louisiana Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Louisiana Tech University

#11

Bellarmine University

Louisville, Kentucky
8 Total Awards
$13,652 Average Tuition & Fees

Bellarmine University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the ranking. Bellarmine U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 8 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Bellarmine U graduate students pay an average of $13,652 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bellarmine U does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 38% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bellarmine University

#11

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Virginia
8 Total Awards
$11,759 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Lynchburg did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Lynchburg graduate students pay an average of $11,759 in tuition and fees each year.

Lynchburg does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#13

Mississippi College

Clinton, Mississippi
2 Total Awards
$12,796 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Mississippi College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. MC is located in Clinton, Mississippi and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at MC are $12,796 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MC does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 43% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Mississippi College Report

#14

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
26 Total Awards
#14 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$18,540 Average Tuition & Fees

Citadel Military College of South Carolina ranked #14 on this year’s list. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at The Citadel are $18,540 a year.

The Citadel does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 76% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, The Citadel also is in the top 15% of our ranking.

Read More…

#15

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
7 Total Awards
$14,166 Average Tuition & Fees

Queens University of Charlotte landed the #15 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Queens are $14,166 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Queens does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 100% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Queens University of Charlotte

#16

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
29 Total Awards
#20 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$17,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Lipscomb University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the ranking. Lipscomb is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Lipscomb are $17,100 per year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $16,032 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Lipscomb does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 31% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lipscomb University

#17

The University of Tampa

Tampa, Florida
13 Total Awards
$12,014 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Tampa ranked #17 on this year’s list. The University of Tampa is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 13 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UT are $12,014 per year.

UT does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 25% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full The University of Tampa Report

#18

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi
5 Total Awards
$11,204 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,246 Avg Student Debt

University of Southern Mississippi did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Hattiesburg, Mississippi is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Southern Miss are $11,204 a year. By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,246 in student loans.

Online graduate courses are available at Southern Miss, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Report

#19

Southeastern University

Lakeland, Florida
4 Total Awards
$12,350 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeastern University ranked #19 on this year’s list. SEU is located in Lakeland, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SEU are $12,350 a year.

SEU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#20

Belhaven University

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

Belhaven University landed the #20 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Jackson, Mississippi is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 58 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Belhaven are $10,980 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Belhaven does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Belhaven University Report

#21

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
47 Total Awards
#3 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$31,443 Average Tuition & Fees

Virginia Tech did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. This large public school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 47 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Virginia Tech are $31,443 per year.

Virginia Tech does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our list.

Full Virginia Tech Report

#22

Brenau University

Gainesville, Georgia
7 Total Awards
$13,940 Average Tuition & Fees

Brenau University landed the #22 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Brenau is located in Gainesville, Georgia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Brenau graduate students pay an average of $13,940 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Brenau. During the 2019-2020 year, about 56% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

2 Total Awards
$9,882 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #23 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Magnolia, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are $9,882 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Report

#24

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
153 Total Awards
#16 in Quality in the Southeast Region
$20,743 Average Tuition & Fees

East Carolina University ranked #24 on this year’s list. This large public school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 153 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at ECU are $20,743 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at ECU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 80% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, ECU also is in the top 20% of our ranking.

Full East Carolina University Report

#25

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas
10 Total Awards
$11,835 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Central Arkansas landed the #25 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Located in Conway, Arkansas, the fairly large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

UCA graduate students pay an average of $11,835 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UCA. In fact, around 70% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Central Arkansas Report

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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