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

Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#217 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,969enrollment
  • $10,834net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#218 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $29,238net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1122SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#219 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,801enrollment
  • $7,259net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

#220 Best Colleges in the South

  • 14,268enrollment
  • $10,407net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Texas A&M International University
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T
Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#221 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,505enrollment
  • $5,383net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Marshall University
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M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#222 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,691enrollment
  • $8,756net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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North Greenville University
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N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#223 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,125enrollment
  • $11,705net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#224 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $18,556net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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Midwestern State University
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M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#225 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#226 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg 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

#227 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,913enrollment
  • $13,835net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

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Oklahoma Christian University
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O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#228 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,537enrollment
  • $20,237net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

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Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#229 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Southern Wesleyan University
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S
Central, SC
 

Southern Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#230 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,175enrollment
  • $17,639net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1013-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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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

#231 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,305enrollment
  • $20,832net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 910-1133SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Georgetown College
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G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#232 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,548enrollment
  • $15,152net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#233 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,481enrollment
  • $9,529net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#234 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $10,448net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 830-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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