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

Frostburg State University
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F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,067enrollment
  • $16,114net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 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

  • 8,398enrollment
  • $11,353net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1320SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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University of South Alabama
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S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,438enrollment
  • $15,664net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1003-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
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A
Little Rock, AR

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 8,197enrollment
  • $11,173net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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University of North Texas
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N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 44,767enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Delta State University
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D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,556enrollment
  • $14,138net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1280SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,946enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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The University of West Florida
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W
Pensacola, FL

The University of West Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 13,521enrollment
  • $8,609net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Western Carolina University
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W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 12,250enrollment
  • $18,055net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Kingsville
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T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 6,092enrollment
  • $11,347net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,868enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,848enrollment
  • $10,370net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 910-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 15,219enrollment
  • $13,036net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1198SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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