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

West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#217 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,448enrollment
  • $11,015net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lee University
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L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#218 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,680enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#219 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
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Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#220 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,855enrollment
  • $14,991net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#221 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#222 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
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HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#223 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,265enrollment
  • $15,491net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1150SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Stephen F Austin State University
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S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#224 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,888enrollment
  • $15,498net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

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Marshall University
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M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#225 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,027enrollment
  • $9,734net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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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

#226 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,536enrollment
  • $3,833net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Midwestern State University
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M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#227 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,573enrollment
  • $11,798net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg 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

  • 2,743enrollment
  • $21,810net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

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University of Central Arkansas
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C
Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#229 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,790enrollment
  • $16,362net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Belhaven University
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B
Jackson, MS
 

Belhaven University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#230 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,616enrollment
  • $22,145net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Faulkner University
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F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#231 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $19,908net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 886-1135SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Liberty University
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L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#232 Best Colleges in the South

  • 103,068enrollment
  • $29,692net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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West Liberty University
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West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#233 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,348enrollment
  • $14,203net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 890-1125SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Georgetown College
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G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#234 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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