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

Delaware State University
D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,828enrollment
  • $15,555net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Arkansas Tech University
A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,487enrollment
  • $11,443net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Louisiana State University Shreveport
L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 9,736enrollment
  • $7,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Northeastern State University
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $16,184net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Midway University
M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of the Cumberlands
T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Southeastern University
S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,400enrollment
  • $27,935net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Southeastern Oklahoma State University
S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Lamar University
L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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St. Thomas University
S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,455enrollment
  • $27,029net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Bowie State University
B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 6,408enrollment
  • $16,117net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 796-1083SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Newberry College
N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Fairmont State University
F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,307enrollment
  • $10,993net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Point University
P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,827enrollment
  • $22,622net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 972-1237SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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