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

Francis Marion University
F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,017enrollment
  • $11,231net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1138SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Limestone University
L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Nicholls State University
N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,180enrollment
  • $11,029net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 928-1145SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jacksonville State University
J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,672enrollment
  • $14,511net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1260SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Angelo State University
A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Commerce
T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,844enrollment
  • $14,595net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Northern Kentucky University
N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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East Central University
E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Columbia College
C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,572enrollment
  • $23,920net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Charleston Southern University
C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,545enrollment
  • $21,347net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

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Troy University
T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,923enrollment
  • $12,504net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Auburn University at Montgomery
A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,189enrollment
  • $15,458net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Belmont Abbey College
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $23,463net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

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Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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University of Houston Downtown
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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