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.


136 results

Guilford College
G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $22,620net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Maryville College
M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $20,990net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1188SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Catawba College
C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,241enrollment
  • $18,319net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1186SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

North Greenville University
N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,264net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

Virginia Wesleyan College
V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $21,862net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Flagler College St Augustine
F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,441enrollment
  • $31,085net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Thomas More University
T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,947enrollment
  • $21,314net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

University of Charleston
C
Charleston, WV

University of Charleston

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $21,100net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 985-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

Reinhardt University
R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,170enrollment
  • $27,507net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Methodist University
M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,768enrollment
  • $25,786net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1220SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Piedmont College
P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $21,599net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Wingate University
W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,322enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1270SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Converse College
C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,341enrollment
  • $19,438net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1238SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Tennessee Wesleyan College
T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,414net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT 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

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