Top Rated South Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the South for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the South as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in the South is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
South Public 4 year

186 results

Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,894enrollment
  • $13,155net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 850-998SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Prairie View A & M University
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HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Columbus State University
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C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,610enrollment
  • $11,384net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Tennessee State University
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T
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 8,198enrollment
  • $9,231net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 856-1068SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Norfolk State University
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N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 6,045enrollment
  • $12,272net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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Clayton State University
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C
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 5,842enrollment
  • $9,397net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 868-1070SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 17

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Fayetteville State University
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F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,847enrollment
  • $7,298net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 855-1045SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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West Virginia State University
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W
HBCU
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,458enrollment
  • $10,878net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 830-1073SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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University of West Alabama
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W
Livingston, AL
 

University of West Alabama

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,194enrollment
  • $14,781net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 820-978SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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Morgan State University
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M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 9,808enrollment
  • $15,350net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Grambling State University
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HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $19,092net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 860-1150SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

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Alabama State University
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HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,870enrollment
  • $13,504net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 865-1069SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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South Carolina State University
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HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,041enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Alabama A & M University
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HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,614enrollment
  • $14,064net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 810-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

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Texas Southern University
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T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,469enrollment
  • $15,021net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Fort Valley State University
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HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,763enrollment
  • $11,457net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 795-920SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Southern University and A & M College
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HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University and A & M College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,341enrollment
  • $18,937net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 798-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $9,672net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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