The Best Southern Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the South for 2023

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 2023 is Washington and Lee University. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


123 results

Oglethorpe University
O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,446enrollment
  • $22,623net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,550enrollment
  • $18,671net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Oklahoma Baptist University
O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 1,510enrollment
  • $24,277net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

University of Montevallo
M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 2,625enrollment
  • $18,702net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Lubbock Christian University
L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,661enrollment
  • $24,745net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 940-1186SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Brenau University
B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,551enrollment
  • $21,715net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1130SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Texas Lutheran University
T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,468enrollment
  • $19,128net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Emory and Henry College
E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,372enrollment
  • $17,715net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Spalding University
S
Louisville, KY
 

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,562enrollment
  • $23,003net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 930-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Faulkner University
F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,874enrollment
  • $19,889net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 990-1205SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Life University
L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,787enrollment
  • $28,379net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1085SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

North Greenville University
N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,273enrollment
  • $20,627net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

Reinhardt University
R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,215enrollment
  • $22,645net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Texas Wesleyan University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,531enrollment
  • $23,479net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 920-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Louisiana College
L
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,135enrollment
  • $14,625net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 940-1080SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Coppin State University
C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,101enrollment
  • $9,303net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 780-1060SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Prescott College
P
Prescott, AZ
 

Prescott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 1,047enrollment
  • $23,225net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1290SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Hardin Simmons University
H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,937enrollment
  • $21,567net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA