Top Rated South Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the South for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the South. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the highest ranked private college in the South is Duke University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
South Private 4 year

170 results

Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 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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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

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

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Spelman College
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S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

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

Applications Due Feb 1

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Maryland Institute College of Art
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M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

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

Applications Due Feb 1

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LeTourneau University
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L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,389enrollment
  • $27,007net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Hendrix College
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H
Conway, AR

Hendrix College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,107enrollment
  • $24,236net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1385SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Mount St Mary's University
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M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,499enrollment
  • $25,298net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Meredith College
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M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $23,405net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Agnes Scott College
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A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,077enrollment
  • $25,609net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Roanoke College
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R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Presbyterian College
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P
Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $20,058net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 21

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Eckerd College
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E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

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

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Berry College
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B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,370enrollment
  • $25,383net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1278SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Florida Institute of Technology
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F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Florida

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

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Stetson University
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S
DeLand, FL

Stetson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Florida

  • 3,669enrollment
  • $22,914net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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Transylvania University
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T
Lexington, KY

Transylvania University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,022enrollment
  • $25,634net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jacksonville University
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J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,957enrollment
  • $25,745net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,993enrollment
  • $24,432net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1243SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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