Top Rated Southeast Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the Southeast for 2025

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

136 results

Samford University
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S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,791enrollment
  • $32,176net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Mercer University
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M
Macon, GA

Mercer University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Georgia

  • 9,124enrollment
  • $24,197net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Goucher College
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G
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,500enrollment
  • $28,749net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1366SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,047enrollment
  • $27,386net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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John Brown University
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J
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arkansas

  • 2,341enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1345SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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Queens University of Charlotte
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Q
Charlotte, NC

Queens University of Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,846enrollment
  • $27,178net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 7

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,194enrollment
  • $30,462net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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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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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