Best Southern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the South for 2024

There are 1359 colleges and universities in the South enrolling 7,462,248 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 Virginia Main Campus.

South Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

1,359 results

List of the Best South Colleges

Furman University
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F
Greenville, SC

Furman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,443enrollment
  • $33,370net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1455SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Texas Christian University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in the South

  • 12,273enrollment
  • $44,190net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Texas A&M University College Station
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T
College Station, TX

Texas A&M University College Station

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in the South

  • 74,014enrollment
  • $20,375net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1390SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Elon University
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E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $41,527net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

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Rhodes College
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R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,008enrollment
  • $30,672net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
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N
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in the South

  • 36,700enrollment
  • $14,852net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1460SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Clemson University
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C
Clemson, SC

Clemson University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in the South

  • 28,466enrollment
  • $24,577net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Wofford College
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W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

#26 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,823enrollment
  • $31,192net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1353SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Colleges in the South

  • 45,296enrollment
  • $17,402net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1550SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Virginia Tech
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V
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#28 Best Colleges in the South

  • 38,170enrollment
  • $19,301net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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St Mary's College of Maryland
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S
St. Mary's City, MD

St Mary's College of Maryland

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,520enrollment
  • $20,714net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1370SAT range
  • 28-30ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Baylor University
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B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#30 Best Colleges in the South

  • 20,709enrollment
  • $45,988net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1410SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Centre College
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C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $23,584net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1470SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Virginia Military Institute
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V
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#32 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,512enrollment
  • $18,129net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Delaware
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D
Newark, DE

University of Delaware

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Colleges in the South

  • 24,039enrollment
  • $18,044net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Tulsa
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T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#34 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,769enrollment
  • $28,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1350SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

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University of Georgia
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G
Athens, GA

University of Georgia

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#35 Best Colleges in the South

  • 40,607enrollment
  • $17,180net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Union University
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U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#36 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,731enrollment
  • $28,585net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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