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

Lee University
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L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#289 Best Value in the South

  • 3,680enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#290 Best Value in the South

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $20,990net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1188SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#291 Best Value in the South

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Middle Tennessee State University
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M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#292 Best Value in the South

  • 20,183enrollment
  • $12,700net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#293 Best Value in the South

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,414net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#294 Best Value in the South

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#295 Best Value in the South

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tennessee State University
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HBCU
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#296 Best Value in the South

  • 8,198enrollment
  • $9,231net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 856-1068SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Trevecca Nazarene University
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T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#297 Best Value in the South

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $16,222net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 973-1193SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#298 Best Value in the South

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#299 Best Value in the South

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Concordia University Texas
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C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#300 Best Value in the South

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
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T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#301 Best Value in the South

  • 10,855enrollment
  • $14,991net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Texas A&M University Commerce
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T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#302 Best Value in the South

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#303 Best Value in the South

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $21,321net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 968-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#304 Best Value in the South

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#305 Best Value in the South

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#306 Best Value in the South

  • 7,251enrollment
  • $21,246net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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