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

Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#181 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Piedmont College
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P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#182 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $21,599net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#183 Best Colleges in the South

  • 34,974enrollment
  • $16,390net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#184 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,322enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1270SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Converse College
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C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#185 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,341enrollment
  • $19,438net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1238SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#186 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,414net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg 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

#187 Best Colleges in the South

  • 43,992enrollment
  • $14,956net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 990-1230SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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New Mexico State University Main Campus
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N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#188 Best Colleges in the South

  • 14,779enrollment
  • $8,353net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1110SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#189 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,694enrollment
  • $16,838net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg 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

#190 Best Colleges in the South

  • 14,371enrollment
  • $8,908net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#191 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,251enrollment
  • $21,246net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#192 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,128enrollment
  • $29,481net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Western Carolina University
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W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#193 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,628enrollment
  • $12,252net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#194 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $19,087net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 970-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#195 Best Colleges in the South

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#196 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $21,321net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 968-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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University of South Alabama
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S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#197 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,768enrollment
  • $13,613net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#198 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,231enrollment
  • $19,478net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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