Top Rated South Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the South for 2023

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the South. Leading the rankings for 2023 as the highest ranked private college in the South is Duke University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


158 results

Duke University
D
Durham, NC

Duke University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in America

  • 17,620enrollment
  • $26,932net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1468-1558SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Rice University
R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in America

  • 8,285enrollment
  • $19,215net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Johns Hopkins University
J
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in America

  • 32,049enrollment
  • $25,241net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1560SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Vanderbilt University
V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,796enrollment
  • $25,804net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Emory University
E
Atlanta, GA

Emory University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in America

  • 14,779enrollment
  • $25,672net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Washington and Lee University
W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,238enrollment
  • $27,148net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Davidson College
D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,973enrollment
  • $28,615net price
  • 18%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

University of Richmond
R
University of Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,890enrollment
  • $25,700net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

University of Miami
M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,096enrollment
  • $31,726net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Trinity University
T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $31,141net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1468SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,385enrollment
  • $41,444net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Sewanee The University of the South
S
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University of the South

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,820enrollment
  • $36,244net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Furman University
F
Greenville, SC

Furman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,463enrollment
  • $37,761net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1422SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Texas Christian University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 11,938enrollment
  • $40,220net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Rhodes College
R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,073enrollment
  • $29,852net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1490SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Wofford College
W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

#1 Best Value in South Carolina

  • 1,765enrollment
  • $30,431net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1330SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Centre College
C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kentucky

  • 1,320enrollment
  • $22,748net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1235-1465SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Elon University
E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,127enrollment
  • $39,401net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10