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

Tennessee State University
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HBCU
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#325 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,198enrollment
  • $9,231net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 856-1068SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Norfolk State University
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HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#326 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,045enrollment
  • $12,272net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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Clayton State University
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Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#327 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,842enrollment
  • $9,397net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 868-1070SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 17

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Fayetteville State University
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HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#328 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,847enrollment
  • $7,298net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 855-1045SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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West Virginia State University
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HBCU
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#329 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,458enrollment
  • $10,878net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 830-1073SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Brewton Parker College
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Mount Vernon, GA
 

Brewton Parker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#330 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,123enrollment
  • $22,488net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 880-1010SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Truett McConnell College
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Cleveland, GA
 

Truett McConnell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#331 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,714enrollment
  • $22,373net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Alabama
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Livingston, AL
 

University of West Alabama

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#332 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,194enrollment
  • $14,781net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 820-978SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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Morgan State University
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HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#333 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,808enrollment
  • $15,350net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Grambling State University
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HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#334 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $19,092net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 860-1150SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

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Alabama State University
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HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#335 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,870enrollment
  • $13,504net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 865-1069SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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South Carolina State University
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HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#336 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,041enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Alabama A & M University
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HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#337 Best Colleges in the South

  • 6,614enrollment
  • $14,064net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 810-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

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Texas Southern University
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HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#338 Best Colleges in the South

  • 8,469enrollment
  • $15,021net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Fort Valley State University
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HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#339 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,763enrollment
  • $11,457net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 795-920SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Southern University and A & M College
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HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University and A & M College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#340 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,341enrollment
  • $18,937net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 798-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Benedict College
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HBCU
Columbia, SC
 

Benedict College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#341 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,731enrollment
  • $18,146net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Kentucky State University
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HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#342 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $9,672net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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