Best Southern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the South for 2025

There are 1354 colleges and universities in the South enrolling 7,622,681 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

1,354 results

List of the Best South Colleges

University of Louisville
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L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#91 Best Colleges in the South

  • 22,139enrollment
  • $18,808net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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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

  • 48,572enrollment
  • $11,578net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Jacksonville University
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J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#93 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,957enrollment
  • $25,745net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Christopher Newport University
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C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#94 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,503enrollment
  • $22,864net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#95 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,925enrollment
  • $14,175net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Kentucky
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K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#96 Best Colleges in the South

  • 32,703enrollment
  • $19,838net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#97 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,993enrollment
  • $24,432net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1243SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Randolph Macon College
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Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#98 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,523enrollment
  • $29,058net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg 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

#99 Best Colleges in the South

  • 21,160enrollment
  • $17,413net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1400SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Asbury University
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A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#100 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $21,375net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#101 Best Colleges in the South

  • 11,729enrollment
  • $20,806net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#102 Best Colleges in the South

  • 20,877enrollment
  • $32,756net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

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Lincoln Memorial University
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L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#103 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,805enrollment
  • $19,401net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas
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A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#104 Best Colleges in the South

  • 32,140enrollment
  • $17,475net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Radford University
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R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#105 Best Colleges in the South

  • 7,531enrollment
  • $18,282net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Mississippi State University
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M
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#106 Best Colleges in the South

  • 22,657enrollment
  • $16,480net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1410SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Abilene Christian University
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A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#107 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $28,311net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Texas Tech University
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T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#108 Best Colleges in the South

  • 40,773enrollment
  • $16,773net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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