Best Southern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the South for 2025

There are 1354 colleges and universities in the South enrolling 7,622,681 students. Explore the list of top colleges in the South below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in South offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

The  South is home to nationally ranked institutions like Duke University, Rice University, Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt University. The highest ranked college in the South is Duke University and the top rated public state college is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

South Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

1,354 results

List of the Best South Colleges

University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#163 Best Colleges in the South

  • 22,700enrollment
  • $7,528net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of New Orleans
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N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#164 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,601enrollment
  • $11,190net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1320SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#165 Best Colleges in the South

  • 30,790enrollment
  • $9,839net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Virginia Wesleyan College
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V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#166 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $21,862net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Lubbock Christian University
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L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#167 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,589enrollment
  • $25,351net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of North Texas
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N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#168 Best Colleges in the South

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#169 Best Colleges in the South

  • 38,722enrollment
  • $15,307net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#170 Best Colleges in the South

  • 17,743enrollment
  • $10,592net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Georgia College & State University
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G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#171 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,811enrollment
  • $19,769net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Flagler College St Augustine
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F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#172 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,441enrollment
  • $31,085net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Thomas More University
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T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#173 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,947enrollment
  • $21,314net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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University of Charleston
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C
Charleston, WV

University of Charleston

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#174 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $21,100net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 985-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Reinhardt University
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R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#175 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,170enrollment
  • $27,507net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Frostburg State University
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F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#176 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,075enrollment
  • $16,521net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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East Tennessee State University
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E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#177 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,586enrollment
  • $16,033net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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Murray State University
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M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#178 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,841enrollment
  • $9,738net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Methodist University
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M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#179 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,768enrollment
  • $25,786net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1220SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#180 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,345enrollment
  • $13,443net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1255SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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