Best Southern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the South for 2025

There are 1316 colleges and universities in the South enrolling 7,337,398 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

1,316 results

List of the Best South Colleges

Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#199 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Anderson University
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A
Anderson, SC

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#200 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,325enrollment
  • $22,222net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg 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

#201 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#202 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,829enrollment
  • $14,453net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.72Avg 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

#203 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#204 Best Colleges in the South

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Upstate
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S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#205 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,946enrollment
  • $13,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#206 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,899enrollment
  • $10,143net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#207 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
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A
Little Rock, AR

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#208 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,158enrollment
  • $11,225net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 890-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Texas Wesleyan University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#209 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,595enrollment
  • $21,169net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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McMurry University
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M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#210 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,549enrollment
  • $20,817net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#211 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,420enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Coppin State University
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C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#212 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,101enrollment
  • $7,684net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Texas A&M University Kingsville
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T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#213 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,562enrollment
  • $10,474net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#214 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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University of Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#215 Best Colleges in the South

  • 12,148enrollment
  • $18,893net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#216 Best Colleges in the South

  • 16,167enrollment
  • $10,548net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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