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

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Connect Me
O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 26,043enrollment
  • $18,291net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Alabama
Connect Me
A
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#1 Best Value in Alabama

  • 39,622enrollment
  • $21,761net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Louisville
Connect Me
L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,139enrollment
  • $18,808net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Florida Main Campus
Connect Me
S
Tampa, FL

University of South Florida Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 48,572enrollment
  • $11,578net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Christopher Newport University
Connect Me
C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,503enrollment
  • $22,864net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Connect Me
N
Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,925enrollment
  • $14,175net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Kentucky
Connect Me
K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 32,703enrollment
  • $19,838net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Connect Me
A
Birmingham, AL

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Alabama

  • 21,160enrollment
  • $17,413net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1400SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of Charleston
Connect Me
C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 11,729enrollment
  • $20,806net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas
Connect Me
A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 32,140enrollment
  • $17,475net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Radford University
Connect Me
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,531enrollment
  • $18,282net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mississippi State University
Connect Me
M
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Mississippi

  • 22,657enrollment
  • $16,480net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1410SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Tech University
Connect Me
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,773enrollment
  • $16,773net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Houston
Connect Me
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 46,676enrollment
  • $13,738net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Commonwealth University
Connect Me
V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,238enrollment
  • $22,852net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Connect Me
A
Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 8,743enrollment
  • $19,847net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1440SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
West Virginia University
Connect Me
W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,200enrollment
  • $13,691net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at Tyler
Connect Me
T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,678enrollment
  • $14,043net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Compare Calculate my chances