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

Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#271 Best Value in the South

  • 4,017enrollment
  • $11,231net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1138SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Lander University
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L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#272 Best Value in the South

  • 4,363enrollment
  • $14,657net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Limestone University
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L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#273 Best Value in the South

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#274 Best Value in the South

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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North Greenville University
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N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#275 Best Value in the South

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,264net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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University of South Carolina Aiken
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S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#276 Best Value in the South

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#277 Best Value in the South

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#278 Best Value in the South

  • 10,829enrollment
  • $14,453net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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South Carolina State University
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S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#279 Best Value in the South

  • 3,041enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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University of South Carolina Upstate
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S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#280 Best Value in the South

  • 4,946enrollment
  • $13,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#281 Best Value in the South

  • 4,694enrollment
  • $16,838net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#282 Best Value in the South

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#283 Best Value in the South

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#284 Best Value in the South

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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East Tennessee State University
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E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#285 Best Value in the South

  • 13,586enrollment
  • $16,033net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#286 Best Value in the South

  • 1,005enrollment
  • $19,836net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1480SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#287 Best Value in the South

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#288 Best Value in the South

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $23,282net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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