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

Virginia Union University
V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,662enrollment
  • $20,207net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 750-1010SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

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Harding University
H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,608enrollment
  • $21,069net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Bethune Cookman University
B
HBCU
Daytona Beach, FL

Bethune Cookman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,515enrollment
  • $14,705net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 830-1000SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
F
Orlando, FL

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,692enrollment
  • $30,340net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1140SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Albany State University
A
HBCU
Albany, GA

Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,544enrollment
  • $13,775net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

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Savannah State University
S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,078enrollment
  • $8,506net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Delta State University
D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,716enrollment
  • $13,457net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Mississippi University for Women
M
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,227enrollment
  • $12,617net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Southwestern Oklahoma State University
S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 4,811enrollment
  • $14,761net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Southern Wesleyan University
S
Central, SC
 

Southern Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,188enrollment
  • $20,336net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,096enrollment
  • $17,961net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at El Paso
T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 24,351enrollment
  • $10,333net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Eastern Mennonite University
E
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $24,710net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1590SAT range
  • 25-34ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Mary Baldwin College
M
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,792enrollment
  • $18,838net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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