Top Rated Southeast Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southeast for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Southeast as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in the Southeast is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


143 results

McNeese State University
M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,230enrollment
  • $10,154net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

West Liberty University
W
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 2,315enrollment
  • $13,788net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 888-1130SAT range
  • 6-9ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Auburn University at Montgomery
A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,109enrollment
  • $13,163net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,215enrollment
  • $11,583net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Georgia Southwestern State University
G
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,070enrollment
  • $12,186net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 21

Nicholls State University
N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,883enrollment
  • $12,365net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 938-1130SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,326enrollment
  • $16,140net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 983-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,518enrollment
  • $12,020net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Arkansas Tech University
A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,445enrollment
  • $12,016net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,893enrollment
  • $15,625net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Louisiana State University Shreveport
L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,721enrollment
  • $7,587net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 25,481enrollment
  • $15,352net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Francis Marion University
F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,045enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 890-1123SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Jacksonville State University
J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,632enrollment
  • $11,953net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Louisiana State University Alexandria
L
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 4,289enrollment
  • $7,274net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Delaware State University
D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,826enrollment
  • $11,886net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 830-1060SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15