Best Southern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the South for 2024

There are 1359 colleges and universities in the South enrolling 7,462,248 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 Virginia Main Campus.

South Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

1,359 results

List of the Best South Colleges

Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#181 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,242enrollment
  • $20,390net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#182 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,481enrollment
  • $19,911net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#183 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,531enrollment
  • $12,557net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#184 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $21,583net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#185 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,532enrollment
  • $26,539net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 858-1105SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#186 Best Colleges in the South

  • 43,946enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#187 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,753enrollment
  • $28,226net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 830-1117SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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The University of West Florida
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W
Pensacola, FL

The University of West Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#188 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,521enrollment
  • $8,609net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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McMurry University
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M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#189 Best Colleges in the South

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

Applications Due Aug 15

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#190 Best Colleges in the South

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#191 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,257enrollment
  • $19,515net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#192 Best Colleges in the South

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

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#193 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#194 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#195 Best Colleges in the South

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#196 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $23,635net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1130SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Belhaven University
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B
Jackson, MS
 

Belhaven University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#197 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,627enrollment
  • $19,794net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#198 Best Colleges in the South

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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