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.
South Public Private 4 year

356 results

Midway University
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M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#199 Best Value in the South

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Murray State University
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M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#200 Best Value in the South

  • 9,841enrollment
  • $9,738net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#201 Best Value in the South

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#202 Best Value in the South

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Thomas More University
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T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#203 Best Value in the South

  • 1,947enrollment
  • $21,314net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#204 Best Value in the South

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Western Kentucky University
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W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#205 Best Value in the South

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Dillard University
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D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#206 Best Value in the South

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Grambling State University
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G
HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#207 Best Value in the South

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $19,092net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 860-1150SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

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Louisiana State University Alexandria
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L
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#208 Best Value in the South

  • 5,330enrollment
  • $8,081net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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Louisiana State University Shreveport
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L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#209 Best Value in the South

  • 9,736enrollment
  • $7,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Louisiana Tech University
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L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#210 Best Value in the South

  • 11,427enrollment
  • $12,593net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#211 Best Value in the South

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of New Orleans
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N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#212 Best Value in the South

  • 6,601enrollment
  • $11,190net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1320SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Nicholls State University
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N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#213 Best Value in the South

  • 6,180enrollment
  • $11,029net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 928-1145SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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University of Louisiana Monroe
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L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#214 Best Value in the South

  • 8,272enrollment
  • $11,160net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1350SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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N
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#215 Best Value in the South

  • 8,847enrollment
  • $13,156net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 925-1243SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Our Lady of the Lake College
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O
Baton Rouge, LA
 

Our Lady of the Lake College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#216 Best Value in the South

  • 1,204enrollment
  • $15,239net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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