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

Eckerd College
E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#127 Best Value in the South

  • 1,986enrollment
  • $40,122net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1336SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Southern Adventist University
S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#128 Best Value in the South

  • 3,154enrollment
  • $25,374net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 970-1270SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Hampton University
H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#129 Best Value in the South

  • 3,649enrollment
  • $28,576net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 857-1226SAT range
  • 12-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

James Madison University
J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#130 Best Value in the South

  • 22,758enrollment
  • $26,317net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1320SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#131 Best Value in the South

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $41,209net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Maryland Institute College of Art
M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#132 Best Value in the South

  • 1,861enrollment
  • $43,066net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 915-1220SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Baylor University
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#133 Best Value in the South

  • 20,824enrollment
  • $49,727net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Dallas Baptist University
D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#134 Best Value in the South

  • 4,201enrollment
  • $30,275net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1217SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#135 Best Value in the South

  • 11,070enrollment
  • $41,550net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Spelman College
S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#136 Best Value in the South

  • 3,633enrollment
  • $37,403net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

The University of Tampa
T
Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

#137 Best Value in the South

  • 11,054enrollment
  • $35,975net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#138 Best Value in the South

  • 12,268enrollment
  • $20,183net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Tuskegee University
T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#139 Best Value in the South

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $35,126net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 995-1255SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

Alabama A & M University
A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#140 Best Value in the South

  • 6,614enrollment
  • $14,064net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 810-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

Alabama State University
A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#141 Best Value in the South

  • 3,870enrollment
  • $13,504net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 865-1069SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

Auburn University at Montgomery
A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#142 Best Value in the South

  • 5,189enrollment
  • $15,458net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Faulkner University
F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#143 Best Value in the South

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $19,908net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 886-1135SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Jacksonville State University
J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#144 Best Value in the South

  • 9,672enrollment
  • $14,511net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1260SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA