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

North Carolina Wesleyan College
N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $10,258net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Concordia University Texas
C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 4,776enrollment
  • $12,948net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,100enrollment
  • $11,649net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1048SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Southeastern Louisiana University
S
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 13,861enrollment
  • $12,007net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Barton College
B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Coker College
C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,630enrollment
  • $9,687net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Dillard University
D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,151enrollment
  • $11,532net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Western Kentucky University
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Georgia Southwestern State University
G
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,408enrollment
  • $11,779net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 21

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,386enrollment
  • $6,683net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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Jackson State University
J
HBCU
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 6,564enrollment
  • $19,892net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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