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.


170 results

University of the Incarnate Word
T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Texas

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

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,128enrollment
  • $29,481net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Thomas University
T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $19,087net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 970-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Hardin Simmons University
H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

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

Saint Leo University
S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,231enrollment
  • $19,478net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Life University
L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Anderson University
A
Anderson, SC

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 4,325enrollment
  • $22,222net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

University of Mary Hardin Baylor
M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Savannah College of Art and Design
S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Carson Newman College
C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Texas Wesleyan University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,595enrollment
  • $21,169net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

McMurry University
M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,549enrollment
  • $20,817net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Brenau University
B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,420enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Spalding University
S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Lee University
L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

Freed Hardeman University
F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Oklahoma Christian University
O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,743enrollment
  • $21,810net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Belhaven University
B
Jackson, MS
 

Belhaven University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 3,616enrollment
  • $22,145net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA