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

Oklahoma Baptist University
O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 1,399enrollment
  • $24,672net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Louisiana College
L
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,026enrollment
  • $14,566net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Reinhardt University
R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,141enrollment
  • $26,845net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Emory and Henry College
E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,358enrollment
  • $20,834net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Coppin State University
C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,006enrollment
  • $8,562net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $29,238net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1122SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

North Greenville University
N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,125enrollment
  • $11,705net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

Freed Hardeman University
F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $18,556net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Oklahoma Christian University
O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,537enrollment
  • $20,237net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Southern Wesleyan University
S
Central, SC
 

Southern Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,175enrollment
  • $17,639net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1013-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Georgetown College
G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,548enrollment
  • $15,152net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

West Virginia University Institute of Technology
W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,481enrollment
  • $9,529net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $10,448net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 830-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Mississippi University for Women
M
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,339enrollment
  • $12,691net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Texas Wesleyan University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,578enrollment
  • $15,652net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Limestone University
L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,786enrollment
  • $23,478net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Faulkner University
F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,817enrollment
  • $20,050net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Shorter University
S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,515enrollment
  • $13,490net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1290SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25