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

Appalachian State University
A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,641enrollment
  • $10,687net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Tennessee Technological University
T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,840enrollment
  • $16,618net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Louisiana Tech University
L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Louisiana

  • 11,037enrollment
  • $11,630net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

University of New Mexico Main Campus
N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 22,139enrollment
  • $12,200net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 23,494enrollment
  • $17,162net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

East Tennessee State University
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,303enrollment
  • $13,661net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

Radford University
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 8,998enrollment
  • $15,747net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Florida International University
F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 56,664enrollment
  • $8,988net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 37,864enrollment
  • $13,750net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,568enrollment
  • $12,265net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

University of North Florida
N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,594enrollment
  • $9,789net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Murray State University
M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 9,414enrollment
  • $11,628net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise
V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,814enrollment
  • $9,418net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 990-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 19,038enrollment
  • $9,853net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1260SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Winthrop University
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 5,174enrollment
  • $19,300net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1195SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Georgia College & State University
G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,763enrollment
  • $20,958net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Florida Atlantic University
F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 30,155enrollment
  • $11,451net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,021enrollment
  • $15,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA