Top Rated South Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the South for 2023

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the South as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2023 as the best public college in the South is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


180 results

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 28,042enrollment
  • $21,836net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

George Mason University
G
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 38,628enrollment
  • $18,285net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Mary Washington
M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,956enrollment
  • $22,569net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

University of North Carolina School of the Arts
N
Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,119enrollment
  • $11,940net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1380SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

The University of Texas at Dallas
T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 29,696enrollment
  • $11,185net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1450SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

James Madison University
J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,166enrollment
  • $18,592net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1310SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Mississippi
M
University, MS

University of Mississippi

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value in Mississippi

  • 21,203enrollment
  • $13,540net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1025-1225SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,734enrollment
  • $14,834net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 48,274enrollment
  • $15,620net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

University of Maryland Baltimore County
M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 13,638enrollment
  • $16,868net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Citadel Military College of South Carolina
C
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,693enrollment
  • $17,920net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Louisiana State University
L
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 35,912enrollment
  • $20,352net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

University of Louisville
L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,140enrollment
  • $17,894net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Auburn University
A
Auburn University, AL

Auburn University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 31,526enrollment
  • $24,028net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 24,577enrollment
  • $14,763net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

University of Kentucky
K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 30,390enrollment
  • $19,831net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1330SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Arizona State University
A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 77,881enrollment
  • $14,653net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

University of Central Florida
C
Orlando, FL

University of Central Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 70,310enrollment
  • $11,108net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1