Top Rated Southeast Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the Southeast for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the Southeast. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the highest ranked private college in the Southeast is Duke University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


136 results

Virginia Wesleyan College
V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,538enrollment
  • $23,046net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1365SAT range
  • 27-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

King College
K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Gardner Webb University
G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,144enrollment
  • $22,339net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Averett University
A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Methodist University
M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,811enrollment
  • $28,129net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1063-1200SAT range
  • 23-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Bridgewater College
B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $19,332net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Thomas More University
T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,958enrollment
  • $21,962net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1256SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

University of Charleston
C
Charleston, WV

University of Charleston

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia

  • 3,059enrollment
  • $21,308net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 985-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

Guilford College
G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $23,882net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Oglethorpe University
O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,491enrollment
  • $20,094net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1305SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Saint Leo University
S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,242enrollment
  • $20,390net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Columbia International University
C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,481enrollment
  • $19,911net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Thomas University
T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,531enrollment
  • $12,557net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Maryville College
M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $21,583net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Spalding University
S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,532enrollment
  • $26,539net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 858-1105SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Life University
L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,753enrollment
  • $28,226net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 830-1117SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Carson Newman College
C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Brenau University
B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $23,635net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1130SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA