The Best Value Southern Colleges

Best Value Colleges in South for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in the South based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in the South is Rice University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $20,587 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.


356 results

Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#181 Best Value in the South

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Georgia State University
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#182 Best Value in the South

  • 34,974enrollment
  • $16,390net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Life University
L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#183 Best Value in the South

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Oglethorpe University
O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#184 Best Value in the South

  • 1,522enrollment
  • $22,251net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1106-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Piedmont College
P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#185 Best Value in the South

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $21,599net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Reinhardt University
R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#186 Best Value in the South

  • 1,170enrollment
  • $27,507net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Savannah College of Art and Design
S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#187 Best Value in the South

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Savannah State University
S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#188 Best Value in the South

  • 3,078enrollment
  • $8,506net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Shorter University
S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#189 Best Value in the South

  • 1,447enrollment
  • $16,692net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

Thomas University
T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#190 Best Value in the South

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $19,087net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 970-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Toccoa Falls College
T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#191 Best Value in the South

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Truett McConnell College
T
Cleveland, GA
 

Truett McConnell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#192 Best Value in the South

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

Applications Due Aug 1

Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#193 Best Value in the South

  • 10,151enrollment
  • $11,532net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#194 Best Value in the South

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of the Cumberlands
T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#195 Best Value in the South

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

Eastern Kentucky University
E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#196 Best Value in the South

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Georgetown College
G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#197 Best Value in the South

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Kentucky State University
K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#198 Best Value in the South

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