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

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Old Dominion University
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O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Tennessee Technological University
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T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 10,117enrollment
  • $15,138net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 26,785enrollment
  • $14,470net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 21,253enrollment
  • $14,712net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Florida
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N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,453enrollment
  • $10,628net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Louisiana Tech University
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L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 11,427enrollment
  • $12,593net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Florida International University
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F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 53,953enrollment
  • $10,742net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Longwood University
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L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,545enrollment
  • $22,900net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Montevallo
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M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 2,942enrollment
  • $17,280net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Louisiana Monroe
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L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,272enrollment
  • $11,160net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1350SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Middle Tennessee State University
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M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,183enrollment
  • $12,700net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 22,700enrollment
  • $7,528net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of New Orleans
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N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,601enrollment
  • $11,190net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1320SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 30,790enrollment
  • $9,839net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of North Texas
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N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,722enrollment
  • $15,307net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,743enrollment
  • $10,592net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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