Top Rated South Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the South for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the South as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in the South is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
South Public 4 year

185 results

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,387enrollment
  • $9,959net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 805-1045SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Clayton State University
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C
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 5,847enrollment
  • $9,792net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 890-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 17

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Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 16,803enrollment
  • $11,757net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Mississippi Valley State University
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M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 1,879enrollment
  • $11,598net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Columbus State University
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C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,479enrollment
  • $12,902net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Alcorn State University
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HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $14,864net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 903-1115SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Fayetteville State University
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F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,787enrollment
  • $6,355net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 5,860enrollment
  • $13,786net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 880-980SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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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

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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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

  • 3,785enrollment
  • $11,684net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 840-1065SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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South Carolina State University
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S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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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

  • 9,101enrollment
  • $13,956net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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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

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 783-978SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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Alabama A & M University
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A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

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Alabama State University
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A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $13,176net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 828-1041SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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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

  • 8,632enrollment
  • $11,826net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Fort Valley State University
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F
HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,605enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 810-950SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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