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

North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#289 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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North Carolina A & T State University
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N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#290 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $10,258net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Concordia University Texas
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C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#291 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Winston Salem State University
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W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#292 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,776enrollment
  • $12,948net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#293 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,100enrollment
  • $11,649net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1048SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#294 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#295 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Southeastern Louisiana University
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S
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#296 Best Colleges in the South

  • 13,861enrollment
  • $12,007net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Barton College
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B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#297 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Coker College
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C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#298 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#299 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#300 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,630enrollment
  • $9,687net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Dillard University
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D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#301 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Valdosta State University
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V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#302 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,151enrollment
  • $11,532net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Western Kentucky University
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W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#303 Best Colleges in the South

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Georgia Southwestern State University
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G
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#304 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,408enrollment
  • $11,779net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 21

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
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E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#305 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,386enrollment
  • $6,683net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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Jackson State University
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J
HBCU
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#306 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,564enrollment
  • $19,892net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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