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

Clark Atlanta University
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,135enrollment
  • $29,736net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Shorter University
S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,447enrollment
  • $16,692net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Louisiana State University Alexandria
L
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,330enrollment
  • $8,081net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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Union College
U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Arizona Christian University
A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 1,233enrollment
  • $32,397net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,965enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1100SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lander University
L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,363enrollment
  • $14,657net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Mississippi Valley State University
M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,196enrollment
  • $12,304net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Bluefield State College
B
HBCU
Bluefield, WV
 

Bluefield State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,270enrollment
  • $14,500net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southwestern Assemblies of God University
S
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,725enrollment
  • $19,834net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

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Henderson State University
H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,136enrollment
  • $16,929net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Concord University
C
Athens, WV

Concord University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,798enrollment
  • $10,630net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Alcorn State University
A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,894enrollment
  • $13,155net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 850-998SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Bethel University
B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Claflin University
C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $21,232net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Columbus State University
C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,610enrollment
  • $11,384net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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