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

Roanoke College
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R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#91 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,826enrollment
  • $29,169net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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University of South Florida Main Campus
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S
Tampa, FL

University of South Florida Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#92 Best Colleges in the South

  • 49,600enrollment
  • $11,004net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#93 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,281enrollment
  • $27,324net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Mount St Mary's University
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M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#94 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $24,379net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Alabama at Birmingham
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A
Birmingham, AL

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#95 Best Colleges in the South

  • 21,639enrollment
  • $16,834net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1410SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#96 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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William Carey University
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W
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#97 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $15,271net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

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Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#98 Best Colleges in the South

  • 20,948enrollment
  • $29,589net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

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Saint Edward's University
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S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#99 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,470enrollment
  • $27,193net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA

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Virginia Commonwealth University
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V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#100 Best Colleges in the South

  • 28,082enrollment
  • $21,294net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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N
Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#101 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,914enrollment
  • $14,730net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1340SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Towson University
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T
Towson, MD

Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#102 Best Colleges in the South

  • 19,793enrollment
  • $14,443net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Texas Tech University
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T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#103 Best Colleges in the South

  • 40,378enrollment
  • $17,896net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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University of Houston
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#104 Best Colleges in the South

  • 46,700enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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Asbury University
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A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#105 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $21,506net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Marymount University
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M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#106 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,711enrollment
  • $24,664net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas
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A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#107 Best Colleges in the South

  • 30,936enrollment
  • $16,208net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Stetson University
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S
DeLand, FL

Stetson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#108 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,928enrollment
  • $25,756net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1305SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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