The Best Southern Colleges

The Best Colleges in the South for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the South as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in the South is Duke University. The top rated public state college is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
South Public Private 4 year

356 results

Life University
L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Anderson University
A
Anderson, SC

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 4,325enrollment
  • $22,222net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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The University of Virginia's College at Wise
V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,829enrollment
  • $14,453net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Savannah College of Art and Design
S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Upstate
S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,946enrollment
  • $13,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,899enrollment
  • $10,143net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Carson Newman College
C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
A
Little Rock, AR

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 8,158enrollment
  • $11,225net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 890-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Texas Wesleyan University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,595enrollment
  • $21,169net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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McMurry University
M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,549enrollment
  • $20,817net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Brenau University
B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,420enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Coppin State University
C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,101enrollment
  • $7,684net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Texas A&M University Kingsville
T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 6,562enrollment
  • $10,474net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Spalding University
S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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University of Central Oklahoma
C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 12,148enrollment
  • $18,893net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Florida Gulf Coast University
F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,167enrollment
  • $10,548net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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