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

Midway University
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M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of the Cumberlands
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T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Southeastern University
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S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,400enrollment
  • $27,935net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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St. Thomas University
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S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,455enrollment
  • $27,029net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,827enrollment
  • $22,622net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 972-1237SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Barton College
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B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Coker College
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C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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Dillard University
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D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Clark Atlanta University
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C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,135enrollment
  • $29,736net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Shorter University
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S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,447enrollment
  • $16,692net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Claflin University
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C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $21,232net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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