The Best Southern Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the South for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the South as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2024 is Washington and Lee University. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


131 results

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 College
T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More College

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

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

Lubbock Christian University
L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $23,551net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Delta State University
D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,556enrollment
  • $14,138net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1280SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg 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

McMurry University
M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,237enrollment
  • $18,757net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Hardin Simmons University
H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,765enrollment
  • $22,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1198SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg 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

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

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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