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.


185 results

Nicholls State University
N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,883enrollment
  • $12,365net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 938-1130SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,326enrollment
  • $16,140net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 983-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

Angelo State University
A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,599enrollment
  • $12,838net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,518enrollment
  • $12,020net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Arkansas Tech University
A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,445enrollment
  • $12,016net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

East Central University
E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,376enrollment
  • $10,221net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1078SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,893enrollment
  • $15,625net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Northeastern State University
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,702enrollment
  • $9,669net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Texas A&M University Commerce
T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,306enrollment
  • $13,025net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 913-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Louisiana State University Shreveport
L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,721enrollment
  • $7,587net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 25,481enrollment
  • $15,352net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Francis Marion University
F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,045enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 890-1123SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,106enrollment
  • $8,702net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 5,479enrollment
  • $10,004net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 920-1120SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Jacksonville State University
J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,632enrollment
  • $11,953net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Louisiana State University Alexandria
L
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 4,289enrollment
  • $7,274net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

University of Houston Downtown
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,208enrollment
  • $14,911net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1