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

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

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

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

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

Faulkner University
F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $19,908net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 886-1135SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Liberty University
L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 103,068enrollment
  • $29,692net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Georgetown College
G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Columbia International University
C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Toccoa Falls College
T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Regent University
R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 10,168enrollment
  • $18,314net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Limestone University
L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Columbia College
C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,572enrollment
  • $23,920net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Charleston Southern University
C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,545enrollment
  • $21,347net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

Belmont Abbey College
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $23,463net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA