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

Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#253 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,017enrollment
  • $11,231net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1138SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Limestone University
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L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#254 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Nicholls State University
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N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#255 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,180enrollment
  • $11,029net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 928-1145SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at San Antonio
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T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#256 Best Colleges in the South

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#257 Best Colleges in the South

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jacksonville State University
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J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#258 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,672enrollment
  • $14,511net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1260SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#259 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Commerce
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T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#260 Best Colleges in the South

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#261 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,844enrollment
  • $14,595net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#262 Best Colleges in the South

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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East Central University
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E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#263 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#264 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,572enrollment
  • $23,920net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Charleston Southern University
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C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#265 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,545enrollment
  • $21,347net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

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Troy University
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T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#266 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,923enrollment
  • $12,504net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Auburn University at Montgomery
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A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#267 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,189enrollment
  • $15,458net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Belmont Abbey College
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B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#268 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $23,463net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

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Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#269 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#270 Best Colleges in the South

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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