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

Clark Atlanta University
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HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#307 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,135enrollment
  • $29,736net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Shorter University
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Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#308 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,447enrollment
  • $16,692net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Louisiana State University Alexandria
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Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#309 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,330enrollment
  • $8,081net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#310 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Arizona Christian University
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Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#311 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,233enrollment
  • $32,397net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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North Carolina Central University
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HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#312 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,965enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1100SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lander University
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Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#313 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,363enrollment
  • $14,657net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Mississippi Valley State University
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M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#314 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,196enrollment
  • $12,304net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Bluefield State College
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HBCU
Bluefield, WV
 

Bluefield State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#315 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,270enrollment
  • $14,500net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southwestern Assemblies of God University
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S
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#316 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,725enrollment
  • $19,834net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

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Henderson State University
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Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#317 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,136enrollment
  • $16,929net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Concord University
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C
Athens, WV

Concord University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#318 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,798enrollment
  • $10,630net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#319 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,894enrollment
  • $13,155net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 850-998SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#320 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
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Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#321 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#322 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Claflin University
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HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#323 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $21,232net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Columbus State University
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C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#324 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,610enrollment
  • $11,384net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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