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

Hampton University
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HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#109 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $32,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 840-1220SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Ouachita Baptist University
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Arkadelphia, AR

Ouachita Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#110 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,784enrollment
  • $21,677net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Jacksonville University
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Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#111 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,837enrollment
  • $26,943net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Harding University
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Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#112 Best Colleges in the South

  • 4,805enrollment
  • $19,558net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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University of St Thomas
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Houston, TX

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#113 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,588enrollment
  • $19,207net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Randolph Macon College
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Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#114 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,490enrollment
  • $28,389net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
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West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#115 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $30,276net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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Campbell University
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C
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#116 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,272enrollment
  • $24,280net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Tuskegee University
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HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#117 Best Colleges in the South

  • 2,570enrollment
  • $35,596net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 970-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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The University of Tampa
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Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

#118 Best Colleges in the South

  • 10,566enrollment
  • $34,653net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Mississippi College
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Clinton, MS

Mississippi College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#119 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,946enrollment
  • $20,874net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Alabama at Huntsville
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Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#120 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,237enrollment
  • $18,588net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1226-1430SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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Catawba College
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Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#121 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#122 Best Colleges in the South

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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St. Mary's University
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San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#123 Best Colleges in the South

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Piedmont College
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Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#124 Best Colleges in the South

  • 1,843enrollment
  • $18,792net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Mississippi State University
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Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#125 Best Colleges in the South

  • 22,649enrollment
  • $15,364net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lincoln Memorial University
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L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#126 Best Colleges in the South

  • 5,418enrollment
  • $19,162net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 982-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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