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

Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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East Central University
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E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Troy University
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T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,923enrollment
  • $12,504net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Auburn University at Montgomery
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A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,189enrollment
  • $15,458net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Delaware State University
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D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,828enrollment
  • $15,555net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Arkansas Tech University
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A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,487enrollment
  • $11,443net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Louisiana State University Shreveport
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L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 9,736enrollment
  • $7,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Northeastern State University
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N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Virginia State University
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V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $16,184net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Georgia Southern University
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G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Southeastern Oklahoma State University
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S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Bowie State University
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B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 6,408enrollment
  • $16,117net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 796-1083SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Fairmont State University
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F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,307enrollment
  • $10,993net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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