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

Arkansas State University Main Campus
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A
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#235 Best Colleges in the South

  • 14,032enrollment
  • $13,002net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#236 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $12,067net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 868-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#237 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Toccoa Falls College
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T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#238 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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N
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#239 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,847enrollment
  • $13,156net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 925-1243SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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University of Southern Mississippi
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S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#240 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,110enrollment
  • $14,050net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#241 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#242 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,664enrollment
  • $10,763net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#243 Best Colleges in the South

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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West Texas A & M University
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W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#244 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,997enrollment
  • $17,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Georgia
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W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#245 Best Colleges in the South

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#246 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Aiken
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S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#247 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shepherd University
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S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#248 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,318enrollment
  • $12,651net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#249 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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Regent University
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R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#250 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,168enrollment
  • $18,314net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Oral Roberts University
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O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#251 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,365enrollment
  • $24,347net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Schreiner University
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S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#252 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $21,786net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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