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 Southern Mississippi
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S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,110enrollment
  • $14,050net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,664enrollment
  • $10,763net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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West Texas A & M University
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W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,997enrollment
  • $17,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Georgia
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W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Aiken
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S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shepherd University
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S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,318enrollment
  • $12,651net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,017enrollment
  • $11,231net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1138SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Nicholls State University
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N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,180enrollment
  • $11,029net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 928-1145SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at San Antonio
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T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jacksonville State University
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J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,672enrollment
  • $14,511net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1260SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Commerce
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T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,844enrollment
  • $14,595net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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