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

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Connect Me
A
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 13,190enrollment
  • $12,011net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Woman's University
Connect Me
T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,958enrollment
  • $11,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Shepherd University
Connect Me
S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,235enrollment
  • $9,827net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Connect Me
S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,094enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 905-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tarleton State University
Connect Me
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Southern Mississippi
Connect Me
S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,526enrollment
  • $14,427net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Kentucky University
Connect Me
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,493enrollment
  • $12,625net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
Connect Me
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
West Texas A & M University
Connect Me
W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,242enrollment
  • $17,001net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Aiken
Connect Me
S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,840enrollment
  • $11,872net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
McNeese State University
Connect Me
M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,230enrollment
  • $10,154net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stephen F Austin State University
Connect Me
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas Pan American
Connect Me
T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,559enrollment
  • $8,105net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 830-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
West Liberty University
Connect Me
W
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 2,315enrollment
  • $13,788net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 888-1130SAT range
  • 6-9ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Connect Me
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,393enrollment
  • $12,664net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Auburn University at Montgomery
Connect Me
A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,109enrollment
  • $13,163net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Connect Me
F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,215enrollment
  • $11,583net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Southwestern State University
Connect Me
G
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,070enrollment
  • $12,186net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 21

Compare Calculate my chances