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

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
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Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,778enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 982-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Southwestern Oklahoma State University
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S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 4,777enrollment
  • $13,699net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Coppin State University
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HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,006enrollment
  • $8,562net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 15,969enrollment
  • $10,834net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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Northern Kentucky University
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Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,801enrollment
  • $7,259net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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New Mexico State University Main Campus
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N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 14,268enrollment
  • $10,407net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Texas A&M International University
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Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,505enrollment
  • $5,383net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Marshall University
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Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in West Virginia

  • 10,691enrollment
  • $8,756net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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Midwestern State University
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Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Upstate
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Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,913enrollment
  • $13,835net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

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West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,481enrollment
  • $9,529net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $10,448net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 830-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Central Arkansas
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C
Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,913enrollment
  • $15,456net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Mississippi University for Women
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Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,339enrollment
  • $12,691net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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University of New Orleans
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New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,111enrollment
  • $11,508net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,324enrollment
  • $10,806net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 940-1185SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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