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

Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#109 Best Value in the South

  • 2,861enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shenandoah University
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S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#110 Best Value in the South

  • 4,343enrollment
  • $26,400net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#111 Best Value in the South

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Marymount University
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M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#112 Best Value in the South

  • 3,667enrollment
  • $28,147net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Ave Maria University
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A
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#113 Best Value in the South

  • 1,335enrollment
  • $23,515net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Alabama at Huntsville
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A
Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#114 Best Value in the South

  • 8,743enrollment
  • $19,847net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1440SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas
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A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#115 Best Value in the South

  • 32,140enrollment
  • $17,475net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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N
Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#116 Best Value in the South

  • 17,987enrollment
  • $18,606net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1360SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#117 Best Value in the South

  • 11,729enrollment
  • $20,806net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of South Carolina Columbia
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S
Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Columbia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#118 Best Value in the South

  • 36,579enrollment
  • $26,068net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.69Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Old Dominion University
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O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#119 Best Value in the South

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Virginia Commonwealth University
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V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#120 Best Value in the South

  • 28,238enrollment
  • $22,852net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

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Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#121 Best Value in the South

  • 20,877enrollment
  • $32,756net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

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

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#122 Best Value in the South

  • 3,875enrollment
  • $31,103net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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Elon University
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E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#123 Best Value in the South

  • 7,207enrollment
  • $41,849net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1143-1305SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#124 Best Value in the South

  • 8,862enrollment
  • $37,558net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Florida Institute of Technology
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F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#125 Best Value in the South

  • 8,516enrollment
  • $36,364net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Christopher Newport University
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C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#126 Best Value in the South

  • 4,503enrollment
  • $22,864net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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