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

George Mason University
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G
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 39,049enrollment
  • $18,479net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $10,429net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Tennessee
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T
Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 33,805enrollment
  • $21,880net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.66Estimated Avg GPA

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James Madison University
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J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,224enrollment
  • $18,274net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Mary Washington
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M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,757enrollment
  • $21,863net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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N
Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,104enrollment
  • $11,251net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1115-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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University of Arizona
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A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 49,403enrollment
  • $17,075net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Dallas
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T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,570enrollment
  • $13,555net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1430SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Citadel Military College of South Carolina
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C
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,721enrollment
  • $21,846net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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University of Maryland Baltimore County
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M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 13,991enrollment
  • $17,692net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Auburn University
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A
Auburn University, AL

Auburn University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 31,764enrollment
  • $25,271net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Mississippi
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M
University, MS

University of Mississippi

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value in Mississippi

  • 22,300enrollment
  • $14,289net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Salisbury University
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S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $19,756net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1320SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Louisiana State University
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L
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Value in Louisiana

  • 37,348enrollment
  • $21,296net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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N
Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,843enrollment
  • $18,709net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1370SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Central Florida
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C
Orlando, FL

University of Central Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 68,346enrollment
  • $13,108net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1360SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Louisville
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L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,017enrollment
  • $19,327net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Oklahoma State University Main Campus
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O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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