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

Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 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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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Florida

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

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Ave Maria University
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A
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

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

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Texas Lutheran University
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T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,361enrollment
  • $23,600net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Tuskegee University
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T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

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

Applications Due Apr 15

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Oklahoma Baptist University
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O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 1,526enrollment
  • $25,099net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Emory and Henry College
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E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $21,714net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,043enrollment
  • $17,068net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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Southern Adventist University
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S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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Our Lady of the Lake College
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O
Baton Rouge, LA
 

Our Lady of the Lake College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,204enrollment
  • $15,239net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 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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Bridgewater College
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B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,436enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1375SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Gardner Webb University
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G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,125enrollment
  • $24,035net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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Oglethorpe University
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O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,522enrollment
  • $22,251net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1106-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Lynchburg
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L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,592enrollment
  • $22,921net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $24,091net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 960-1191SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

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St. Mary's University
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S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,411enrollment
  • $20,562net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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