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

Radford University
Connect Me
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tennessee Technological University
Connect Me
T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,902enrollment
  • $15,188net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Appalachian State University
Connect Me
A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,436enrollment
  • $13,084net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Louisiana Tech University
Connect Me
L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Louisiana

  • 10,839enrollment
  • $12,243net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Longwood University
Connect Me
L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,358enrollment
  • $21,772net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Florida International University
Connect Me
F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 55,609enrollment
  • $9,881net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Old Dominion University
Connect Me
O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 23,107enrollment
  • $16,098net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Montevallo
Connect Me
M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $17,421net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia College & State University
Connect Me
G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,315enrollment
  • $20,301net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Florida
Connect Me
N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,406enrollment
  • $11,338net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Tennessee State University
Connect Me
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,483enrollment
  • $14,350net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Winthrop University
Connect Me
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Middle Tennessee State University
Connect Me
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of New Mexico Main Campus
Connect Me
N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas State University
Connect Me
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Murray State University
Connect Me
M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 9,479enrollment
  • $11,042net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 965-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,978enrollment
  • $10,979net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Carolina University
Connect Me
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances