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

Arkansas State University Main Campus
A
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 14,032enrollment
  • $13,002net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $12,067net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 868-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Toccoa Falls College
T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
N
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,847enrollment
  • $13,156net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 925-1243SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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University of Southern Mississippi
S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,110enrollment
  • $14,050net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Eastern Kentucky University
E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas Woman's University
T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,664enrollment
  • $10,763net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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The University of Texas Pan American
T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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West Texas A & M University
W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,997enrollment
  • $17,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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McNeese State University
M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Aiken
S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shepherd University
S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,318enrollment
  • $12,651net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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Regent University
R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 10,168enrollment
  • $18,314net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Oral Roberts University
O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 5,365enrollment
  • $24,347net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Schreiner University
S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $21,786net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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