Best Southern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the South for 2024

There are 1359 colleges and universities in the South enrolling 7,462,248 students. Explore the list of top colleges in the South below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in South offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

The  South is home to nationally ranked institutions like Duke University, Rice University, Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt University. The highest ranked college in the South is Duke University and the top rated public state college is University of Virginia Main Campus.


1,359 results

List of the Best South Colleges

Our Lady of the Lake College
O
Baton Rouge, LA
 

Our Lady of the Lake College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#145 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,228enrollment
  • $15,916net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Tennessee Wesleyan College
T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#146 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,052enrollment
  • $13,591net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#147 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,574enrollment
  • $17,002net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1280SAT range
  • 25-28ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Florida International University
F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#148 Best Colleges in the South

  • 55,609enrollment
  • $9,881net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#149 Best Colleges in the South

  • 23,107enrollment
  • $16,098net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Texas Lutheran University
T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#150 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,369enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Pfeiffer University
P
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#151 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,076enrollment
  • $21,575net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 891-1165SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Fisk University
F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#152 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $20,578net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1450SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Virginia Wesleyan College
V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#153 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,538enrollment
  • $23,046net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1365SAT range
  • 27-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

King College
K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#154 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Gardner Webb University
G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#155 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,144enrollment
  • $22,339net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

University of Montevallo
M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#156 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $17,421net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Georgia College & State University
G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#157 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,315enrollment
  • $20,301net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

University of North Florida
N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#158 Best Colleges in the South

  • 16,406enrollment
  • $11,338net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

East Tennessee State University
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#159 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,483enrollment
  • $14,350net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

Winthrop University
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#160 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#161 Best Colleges in the South

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

University of New Mexico Main Campus
N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#162 Best Colleges in the South

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA