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

Delaware State University
Connect Me
D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#271 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,828enrollment
  • $15,555net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
Connect Me
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#272 Best Colleges in the South

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Arkansas Tech University
Connect Me
A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#273 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,487enrollment
  • $11,443net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Louisiana State University Shreveport
Connect Me
L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#274 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,736enrollment
  • $7,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern State University
Connect Me
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#275 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia State University
Connect Me
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#276 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $16,184net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Southern University
Connect Me
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#277 Best Colleges in the South

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Midway University
Connect Me
M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#278 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of the Cumberlands
Connect Me
T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#279 Best Colleges in the South

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southeastern University
Connect Me
S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#280 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,400enrollment
  • $27,935net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Connect Me
S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#281 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lamar University
Connect Me
L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#282 Best Colleges in the South

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
St. Thomas University
Connect Me
S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#283 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,455enrollment
  • $27,029net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bowie State University
Connect Me
B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#284 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,408enrollment
  • $16,117net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 796-1083SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Connect Me
S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#285 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Newberry College
Connect Me
N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#286 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fairmont State University
Connect Me
F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#287 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,307enrollment
  • $10,993net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Point University
Connect Me
P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#288 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,827enrollment
  • $22,622net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 972-1237SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances