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.


1,359 results

List of the Best South Colleges

Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#199 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Lynn University
L
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#200 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $38,728net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1185SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Savannah College of Art and Design
S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#201 Best Colleges in the South

  • 16,414enrollment
  • $45,976net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

University of Central Oklahoma
C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#202 Best Colleges in the South

  • 12,250enrollment
  • $18,055net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Oklahoma Baptist University
O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#203 Best Colleges in the South

  • 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

#204 Best Colleges in the South

  • 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

#205 Best Colleges in the South

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

Texas A&M University Kingsville
T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#206 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,092enrollment
  • $11,347net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Tennessee Martin
T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#207 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,868enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#208 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,848enrollment
  • $10,370net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 910-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#209 Best Colleges in the South

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Emory and Henry College
E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#210 Best Colleges in the South

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#211 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,219enrollment
  • $13,036net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1198SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Lee University
L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#212 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,927enrollment
  • $19,726net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#213 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#214 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,778enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 982-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#215 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,777enrollment
  • $13,699net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Coppin State University
C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#216 Best Colleges in the South

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

Applications Due Jul 15