Below are our rankings of America’s Best Bang for the Buck Colleges—our exclusive list of schools ranked according to how well they help nonwealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. The list is created by isolating the access, affordability, and outcomes metrics from the main rankings. Click here for detailed methodology, here for all of our other rankings, and here to download the full data set.

ACCESS: Ranks colleges by how well they provide access to nonwealthy students. Among other metrics, it tracks how many students are on federal Pell Grants for low-to-middle-income families and compares that to how many Pell recipients those schools might be expected to enroll based on test scores, admission rates, and statewide family income.

AFFORDABILITY: Ranks colleges by their affordability. It includes the net price of the institution, or the amount that students with family incomes below $75,000 pay, minus aid. It also tracks how much debt graduates leave with.

OUTCOMES: Ranks colleges by the academic and financial outcomes they provide to students. It tracks the percentage of students graduating within eight years and compares that to statistical predictions. It compares graduation rates between wealthy and nonwealthy students. It also tracks the incomes that students make in their early careers and compares that to their peers’ early-career incomes. Additionally, the outcomes category ranks colleges by the numbers of graduates who go on to receive PhDs.

Rank	Name	Net price	Median earnings 9 yrs. after entering college	Student loan debt of graduates	8-year graduation rate	Access rank	Affordability rank	Outcomes rank
1	Florida International University (FL)*	6784	51935	17139	69%	2	11	21
2	University of Central Florida (FL)*	7510	49606	18525	73%	3	19	110
3	New College of Florida (FL)*	4795	39988	16130	66%	150	6	4
4	Duke University (NC)	5506	83142	13027	96%	135	2	10
5	Florida Atlantic University (FL)*	5624	48670	17518	62%	23	10	34
6	University of Florida (FL)*	3183	60268	15482	89%	21	4	70
7	Davidson College (NC)	7634	69249	19063	92%	173	20	1
8	University of South Florida (FL)*	6517	48826	18360	74%	10	13	94
9	Univ. of Florida–Online (FL)*	2841	60268	15482	59%	125	3	20
10	Georgia State University (GA)*	15849	39523	21356	57%	4	69	168
11	Rasmussen University–Florida (FL)°	18182	33467	20120	39%	32	73	8
12	University of NC–Greensboro (NC)*	8837	41459	22851	59%	7	46	111
13	Florida State University (FL)*	6497	51859	18584	82%	37	14	47
14	University of NC–Chapel Hill (NC)*	6888	59642	14633	91%	91	5	35
15	Georgetown University (DC)	7666	84890	16140	95%	241	9	6
16	George Mason University (VA)*	13983	63122	19750	75%	16	48	58
17	Washington and Lee University (VA)	2948	73321	19833	94%	211	12	9
18	University of North Florida (FL)*	6641	47713	16068	65%	126	7	38
19	Winston-Salem State University (NC)*	12833	37516	25000	61%	56	93	14
20	Salem College (NC)	13883	36871	26883	60%	54	132	15
21	Univ. of NC–Pembroke (NC)*	8779	36749	25010	47%	67	62	31
22	Elizabeth City State University (NC)*	3797	32651	23154	43%	84	26	62
23	William & Mary (VA)*	6820	61696	18841	91%	190	15	25
24	Kennesaw State University (GA)*	16187	48873	23944	51%	9	110	136
25	Fayetteville State University (NC)*	6125	34490	23028	47%	88	33	57
26	Univ. of NC–Charlotte (NC)*	11971	48368	21930	65%	14	57	157
27	Dalton State College (GA)*	4487	34150	13296	37%	109	1	186
28	University of Virginia (VA)*	11634	71079	18209	93%	151	27	33
29	Emory University (GA)	9523	69150	17102	92%	106	16	79
30	Appalachian State University (NC)*	10681	44304	20334	74%	59	35	92
31	University of SC–Upstate (SC)*	12341	41778	22243	58%	94	61	26
32	Talladega College (AL)	13128	26357	29663	27%	36	181	22
33	FL Agricultural & Mechanical U. (FL)*	11584	37655	24516	59%	50	74	60
34	Valdosta State University (GA)*	11654	41596	24926	45%	39	82	67
35	East Carolina University (NC)*	13215	47027	23490	67%	34	76	77
36	University of West Florida (FL)*	6042	41987	16791	58%	103	8	145
37	Virginia State University (VA)*	13592	38643	27500	47%	28	140	55
38	North Carolina State Univ. (NC)*	9431	57818	20311	84%	57	31	144
39	Herzing University–Atlanta (GA)°	22546	31480	22094	36%	49	154	30
40	University of Georgia (GA)*	11606	57892	18625	87%	100	29	72
41	Bethune-Cookman University (FL)	13681	32824	31583	36%	12	218	46
42	Full Sail University (FL)°	30032	34515	27000	46%	5	257	152
43	Strayer University–Florida (FL)°	17518	34501	39881	23%	52	267	3
44	Univ. of NC–Asheville (NC)*	10165	39139	20990	64%	73	38	118
45	North Carolina A&T State Univ. (NC)*	9044	37971	27235	54%	43	90	90
46	Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)*	7589	46537	18393	62%	132	17	116
47	Concord University (WV)*	8561	36218	18752	44%	153	22	84
48	GA Institute of Tech.–Main (GA)*	10817	87399	22307	92%	163	53	32
49	Columbia College (SC)	20234	34287	22235	57%	82	126	27
50	Georgia Southern University (GA)*	14136	45252	23167	54%	40	79	120
51	Old Dominion University (VA)*	12645	47809	24399	56%	24	84	156
52	Liberty University (VA)	28599	39027	25028	39%	1	248	265
53	Claflin University (SC)	19855	34192	29977	51%	13	243	50
54	University of Richmond (VA)	13403	64035	20512	85%	138	52	56
55	Wake Forest University (NC)	9643	65492	20742	90%	191	34	45
56	Living Arts College (NC)°	23021	27086	13906	47%	27	49	213
57	Western Carolina University (NC)*	11027	41555	22275	66%	87	55	98
58	VA Polytech. Inst. & State Univ. (VA)*	14768	69253	22135	87%	127	70	37
59	North Carolina Central Univ. (NC)*	13834	35703	29273	54%	46	182	59
60	Albizu University–Miami (FL)	29025	36609	5500	61%	45	23	241
61	Clayton State University (GA)*	9857	42495	26635	45%	105	88	39
62	Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ.–Worldwide (FL)	15945	72813	24304	35%	180	112	12
63	Virginia Commonwealth Univ. (VA)*	15007	48513	21833	69%	58	66	122
64	Univ. of NC–Wilmington (NC)*	15095	46964	19892	72%	79	58	112
65	Albany State University (GA)*	14311	33405	26170	32%	55	127	75
66	Wheeling University (WV)	20153	50210	25985	81%	250	190	2
67	Bluefield State University (WV)*	10079	33727	19250	48%	174	28	83
68	Georgia Gwinnett College (GA)*	10927	41468	19764	25%	19	32	253
69	Agnes Scott College (GA)	17631	46103	26795	75%	62	183	48
70	Baptist College of Florida (FL)	7690	36586	20305	44%	212	25	71
71	Pfeiffer University (NC)	19176	42077	25035	50%	78	167	43
72	Fort Valley State University (GA)*	12269	31878	31853	43%	35	201	73
73	Alabama State University (AL)*	13446	30185	31333	33%	15	208	135
74	Morris College (SC)	15965	27195	31542	27%	29	235	66
75	ECPI University (VA)°	21137	36759	20000	52%	20	100	208
76	Radford University (VA)*	12880	46918	23666	61%	155	75	61
77	FL National University–Main (FL)	21986	28132	26887	49%	8	227	209
78	Columbia Southern University (AL)°	12790	56615	20645	47%	263	50	17
79	Livingstone College (NC)	15410	28633	33000	27%	18	245	81
80	Voorhees College (SC)	14323	29958	27222	35%	17	144	193
81	Norfolk State University (VA)*	12755	36956	30167	40%	42	188	123
82	George Washington University (DC)	17867	75149	20816	84%	196	81	41
83	Marshall University (WV)*	6224	38731	23678	53%	147	40	155
84	Gallaudet University (DC)	14955	37912	18312	60%	247	42	49
85	University of West Georgia (GA)*	14726	41484	24249	49%	98	101	100
86	Trinity College of Florida (FL)	15774	31988	25738	45%	137	134	51
87	Savannah State University (GA)*	9060	34379	29438	30%	66	123	138
88	NC Wesleyan College (NC)	16837	39121	23482	62%	179	109	42
89	Virginia Military Institute (VA)*	9764	65919	22200	80%	266	45	23
90	GA Southwestern State Univ. (GA)*	11600	40796	20142	44%	175	39	143
91	James Madison University (VA)*	14992	60263	20426	83%	202	59	74
92	Citadel: The Military Coll. of SC (SC)*	16300	60159	22449	75%	223	89	36
93	Wesleyan College (GA)	12030	34651	24906	61%	260	85	16
94	Columbus State University (GA)*	12281	37525	25957	46%	108	105	117
95	University of West Alabama (AL)*	14192	37055	25748	40%	114	117	93
96	Auburn Univ.–Montgomery (AL)*	12995	38353	24942	39%	80	95	173
97	University of Mary Washington (VA)*	14974	51940	20500	69%	210	60	85
98	Spelman College (GA)	31631	50632	25667	78%	166	255	7
99	Wingate University (NC)	17007	45065	25021	56%	77	136	146
100	University of Miami (FL)	18017	64241	17375	81%	172	51	149
101	Regent University (VA)	16996	38600	24128	44%	71	122	171
102	University of North Georgia (GA)*	9393	41783	18414	39%	140	24	239
103	College of Coastal Georgia (GA)*	11809	33386	15649	32%	157	18	240
104	Mary Baldwin University (VA)	16300	38404	26850	45%	90	166	109
105	Strayer Univ.–North Carolina (NC)°	21090	34501	39881	14%	11	270	53
106	Univ. of SC–Columbia (SC)*	16531	51610	22101	76%	95	86	174
107	South Carolina State University (SC)*	18400	32699	31000	36%	53	244	91
108	Chowan University (NC)	15184	34461	30968	33%	26	223	179
109	Johnson C. Smith University (NC)	18961	35398	30667	45%	44	246	105
110	Middle Georgia State Univ. (GA)*	11725	34586	19770	29%	81	36	249
111	Jacksonville State University (AL)*	13990	37918	22558	53%	110	68	177
112	Stetson University (FL)	19875	45793	24167	63%	83	161	131
113	University of Mount Olive (NC)	15563	40614	27153	51%	115	163	82
114	Strayer University–Alabama (AL)°	22923	34501	39881	15%	31	272	18
115	Webber International University (FL)	26870	41399	23667	41%	117	226	40
116	Winthrop University (SC)*	14833	40154	26992	61%	130	149	87
117	Southern Virginia University (VA)	20167	36745	23196	42%	93	141	133
118	Keiser University (FL)	35313	34034	25583	47%	6	260	214
119	South Univ./Savannah Online (GA)	24641	29883	25556	17%	30	231	167
120	Randolph College (VA)	18639	43346	26983	56%	192	191	28
121	Troy University (AL)*	13656	36491	25010	42%	61	103	217
122	Newberry College (SC)	17522	39491	26676	53%	120	178	76
123	Clemson University (SC)*	16930	59412	21500	84%	177	83	114
124	Lees-McRae College (NC)	20387	36930	17876	61%	107	65	196
125	Alabama A&M University (AL)*	13809	34930	31792	31%	51	222	158
126	American Public Univ. System (WV)°	9897	42009	22086	21%	119	44	221
127	Furman University (SC)	19266	55330	23987	81%	198	146	52
128	Shepherd University (WV)*	7717	42008	21340	51%	236	30	150
129	Bennett College (NC)	22029	31319	30043	28%	63	249	69
130	Univ. of Virginia's Coll.–Wise (VA)*	9795	39032	17667	46%	224	21	206
131	Columbia International Univ. (SC)	18154	32143	20125	63%	245	72	63
132	Amer. InterCont. Univ.–Atlanta (GA)°	15403	31220	32316	22%	25	240	184
133	University of Montevallo (AL)*	15541	35459	23774	55%	145	104	148
134	Clark Atlanta University (GA)	33804	35549	27000	44%	33	262	64
135	West Liberty University (WV)*	14272	38072	24017	60%	251	91	44
136	Francis Marion University (SC)*	11611	37083	27338	46%	149	116	139
137	University of AL at Birmingham (AL)*	15472	44924	22350	58%	41	80	263
138	Augusta University (GA)*	12591	40433	21181	55%	102	54	242
139	Elon University (NC)	26127	62604	20897	83%	261	174	13
140	Emory and Henry College (VA)	19268	41467	26776	57%	86	192	142
141	Wofford College (SC)	19376	58178	25763	82%	239	186	24
142	South University–Savannah (GA)	22397	29883	25556	30%	141	211	65
143	Eastern Mennonite University (VA)	18721	44899	24604	68%	48	153	235
144	Bluefield College (VA)	20989	43221	21666	55%	183	125	96
145	West Virginia University (WV)*	10411	47475	22902	63%	193	56	180
146	Salem University (WV)°	15180	28414	21870	38%	134	71	201
147	Warner University (FL)	19402	40500	23938	49%	162	147	104
148	Piedmont College (GA)	16809	41894	25000	53%	139	133	147
149	Converse College (SC)	17293	35293	26833	56%	118	179	128
150	Bob Jones University (SC)	15250	38512	18103	63%	218	41	185
151	Mercer University (GA)	19432	49147	24733	65%	68	165	205
152	Shorter University (GA)	15254	39873	25227	48%	170	121	137
153	Barry University (FL)	18592	48137	27911	48%	113	206	99
154	Gardner-Webb University (NC)	18857	40845	23872	59%	133	138	160
155	Trinity Washington University (DC)	11402	44751	29027	43%	182	142	108
156	Tuskegee University (AL)	32910	40636	27697	69%	233	264	5
157	American University (DC)	20097	65161	23333	79%	242	143	54
158	Berry College (GA)	17763	44313	23496	71%	194	118	121
159	Covenant College (GA)	19951	43153	23060	69%	186	135	115
160	Meredith College (NC)	15861	42383	25000	67%	89	124	220
161	University of SC–Aiken (SC)*	9832	39545	24783	44%	164	64	210
162	Longwood University (VA)*	15452	45062	24632	67%	237	113	80
163	Lander University (SC)*	13655	35714	25536	51%	158	108	178
164	Coker University (SC)	13777	34918	26664	51%	168	129	153
165	Florida Memorial University (FL)	17397	30718	31354	42%	70	241	162
166	Saint Leo University (FL)	16727	42177	25652	36%	92	145	212
167	Southern Wesleyan University (SC)	16241	39991	26572	57%	188	162	107
168	University of North Alabama (AL)*	9698	37343	22442	52%	213	47	211
169	Fairmont State University (WV)*	9120	38669	21674	51%	244	37	192
170	Catawba College (NC)	15932	40603	24746	57%	136	119	190
171	College of Charleston (SC)*	14449	46885	22750	65%	197	77	182
172	WV Wesleyan College (WV)	15403	42633	27000	55%	201	156	106
173	Campbell University (NC)	19188	45902	22333	50%	146	115	199
174	Auburn University (AL)*	19172	55318	21260	79%	207	99	163
175	Thomas University (GA)	18821	41854	21483	51%	227	98	140
176	Edward Waters College (FL)	13302	28833	29000	26%	76	169	231
177	South University–Montgomery (AL)°	23459	29883	25556	27%	143	224	119
178	Barton College (NC)	20101	39767	25959	57%	156	189	141
179	University of Alabama (AL)*	19628	49614	23024	70%	96	131	230
180	Brenau University (GA)	22230	46755	27354	43%	97	233	154
181	University of South Alabama (AL)*	13062	41620	24976	49%	104	97	246
182	Glenville State College (WV)*	14489	33438	24667	33%	142	106	224
183	Johnson & Wales U.–Charlotte (NC)	26375	39324	25625	57%	69	242	187
184	Greensboro College (NC)	15562	39259	25536	36%	159	130	194
185	Coastal Carolina University (SC)*	11120	40228	24428	52%	154	67	245
186	Presbyterian College (SC)	18807	48255	25605	64%	222	172	97
187	Christopher Newport Univ. (VA)*	16395	51358	24913	77%	255	128	78
188	Stillman College (AL)	14689	31587	30484	21%	72	207	228
189	Hollins University (VA)	19974	35498	27000	64%	129	205	169
190	Davis & Elkins College (WV)	17585	38016	26834	47%	204	184	125
191	Georgia College & State Univ. (GA)*	16658	49077	22472	63%	254	92	126
192	North Greenville University (SC)	18469	36853	22478	57%	185	111	203
193	Guilford College (NC)	20622	39880	26098	50%	116	196	188
194	Saint Augustine's University (NC)^^	18157	31034	31890	36%	144	247	102
195	Embry-Riddle Aero.–Dayt. Beach (FL)	34481	72813	24304	65%	209	259	29
196	Bridgewater College (VA)	16548	44723	26323	63%	195	159	165
197	South University–Columbia (SC)°	21837	29883	25556	28%	148	199	172
198	Flagler College–St. Augustine (FL)	22076	42492	23583	63%	215	175	134
199	Morehouse College (GA)	30278	42485	25083	55%	121	252	113
200	Paine College (GA)	12650	28834	32148	15%	74	216	236
201	LaGrange College (GA)	18226	44859	25910	47%	189	171	166
202	Strayer University–Arlington (VA)°	20047	34501	39881	32%	167	269	19
203	Huntingdon College (AL)	20975	43567	26800	55%	187	219	130
204	Shaw University (NC)	14459	30145	32772	23%	99	238	183
205	Univ. of SC–Beaufort (SC)*	13402	41506	24667	37%	184	94	234
206	Allen University (SC)	12354	24710	33940	17%	22	236	267
207	Virginia Union University (VA)	19547	33865	29500	38%	171	239	129
208	University of Charleston (WV)	20362	43426	19667	49%	249	87	176
209	University of Mobile (AL)	17185	37795	26833	48%	206	176	159
210	Faulkner University (AL)	20180	36804	23454	46%	161	148	218
211	University of AL–Huntsville (AL)*	16793	51067	21254	59%	123	78	264
212	Mars Hill University (NC)	17255	37524	26333	37%	124	168	232
213	Jacksonville University (FL)	23346	52708	21821	52%	178	158	202
214	Miles College (AL)	13831	28161	31554	30%	38	221	266
215	Roanoke College (VA)	21481	48745	27000	70%	229	225	88
216	University of Lynchburg (VA)	19198	47192	27000	64%	225	195	124
217	Averett University (VA)	22572	42719	25181	51%	220	203	127
218	Marymount University (VA)	23769	56669	25000	67%	243	220	89
219	Nova Southeastern University (FL)	26475	50249	24333	62%	60	230	254
220	Rollins College (FL)	24988	49797	25833	74%	199	237	132
221	Stratford University (VA)°	24087	34113	33833	32%	75	265	151
222	Oglethorpe University (GA)	16343	46450	26000	50%	131	150	251
223	Life University (GA)	28159	40456	15711	45%	221	107	226
224	Benedict College (SC)	15717	27961	34333	24%	64	251	233
225	Hampden-Sydney College (VA)	16997	57494	26667	66%	268	170	68
226	Ferrum College (VA)	20065	38484	27000	34%	112	209	238
227	William Peace University (NC)	20487	38148	23750	47%	111	160	259
228	Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC)	20286	40010	26578	52%	165	200	219
229	Oakwood University (AL)	20384	34433	28225	51%	169	228	191
230	Spring Hill College (AL)	14949	44056	27000	55%	240	151	189
231	Ave Maria University (FL)	18280	43250	21475	69%	234	96	237
232	Florida Southern College (FL)	23245	46578	25000	66%	176	212	216
233	Virginia Wesleyan University (VA)	20189	42602	27000	51%	101	210	255
234	Samford University (AL)	25074	49016	19742	75%	258	137	175
235	Brewton-Parker College (GA)	19996	35203	24990	24%	231	177	204
236	Warren Wilson College (NC)	21162	29364	24583	47%	47	185	272
237	Palm Bch. Atl. U.–W. Palm Bch. (FL)	26153	42441	22421	55%	214	194	207
238	Hampton University (VA)	37113	48772	25814	65%	269	266	11
239	Toccoa Falls College (GA)	19768	33572	22253	49%	259	120	197
240	West Virginia State University (WV)*	11743	33611	23500	39%	273	63	161
241	Queens University of Charlotte (NC)	23428	49240	25000	60%	219	214	200
242	Lynn University (FL)	34574	40974	17766	58%	238	217	181
243	Randolph-Macon College (VA)	22729	49061	27000	69%	265	232	86
244	Bethany College (WV)	10614	39115	27000	42%	160	102	269
245	Catholic University of America (DC)	23817	63327	26012	74%	262	229	101
246	Montreat College (NC)	22681	39002	25192	38%	65	204	270
247	St. Thomas University (FL)	24876	47831	20795	49%	267	157	164
248	WV Univ. Institute of Tech. (WV)*	8565	47475	22902	29%	270	43	244
249	Brevard College (NC)	18461	36851	25333	42%	208	164	250
250	Howard University (DC)	44472	51532	24833	62%	122	271	103
251	Southeastern University (FL)	27473	38251	21741	48%	228	197	225
252	Sweet Briar College (VA)	19749	43749	26569	38%	181	193	257
253	Charleston Southern University (SC)	17358	39117	26824	45%	203	180	256
254	South Univ.–Virginia Beach (VA)°	25038	29883	25556	29%	232	234	198
255	Univ. of the District of Columbia (DC)*	14694	37081	25254	28%	235	114	260
256	Point University (GA)	19236	34941	25392	39%	253	173	223
257	Belmont Abbey College (NC)	19199	40939	25890	49%	230	187	248
258	Reinhardt University (GA)	24304	40843	23960	43%	226	202	243
259	Erskine College and Seminary (SC)	30363	43425	26967	49%	200	258	195
260	AI Miami Int. U. of Art & Design (FL)	29551	30299	29890	31%	152	263	215
261	Shenandoah University (VA)	23538	49888	24813	62%	252	213	227
262	Savannah Coll. of Art & Design (GA)	42482	41452	25105	70%	216	268	95
263	Emmanuel College (GA)	18255	33072	24851	40%	246	152	261
264	Eckerd College (FL)	28819	43161	26797	65%	205	254	222
265	Methodist University (NC)	20454	39361	27000	39%	85	215	273
266	Florida Institute of Technology (FL)	28056	38689	26965	64%	217	253	229
267	Anderson University (SC)	19723	36892	26900	61%	248	198	258
268	High Point University (NC)	33624	52875	24608	69%	257	256	170
269	Young Harris College (GA)	14277	38397	27000	42%	256	139	268
270	University of Tampa (FL)	31072	51452	24237	61%	264	250	247
271	Truett McConnell University (GA)	19275	39001	24350	39%	272	155	262
272	Everglades University (FL)	28507	39349	40093	62%	128	273	252
273	Beulah Heights University (GA)	5970	34130	45881	17%	271	261	271