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

Delaware State University
D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,826enrollment
  • $11,886net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 830-1060SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Jackson State University
J
HBCU
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 6,906enrollment
  • $15,292net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1073-1210SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Bowie State University
B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 6,275enrollment
  • $13,886net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 800-1048SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

Troy University
T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 14,156enrollment
  • $13,187net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,149enrollment
  • $4,120net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

Concord University
C
Athens, WV

Concord University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,748enrollment
  • $8,464net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 890-1135SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Southeastern Louisiana University
S
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 13,465enrollment
  • $12,291net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Lander University
L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,167enrollment
  • $15,524net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana
N
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 9,389enrollment
  • $14,238net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 955-1135SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Henderson State University
H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,519enrollment
  • $17,656net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

University of South Carolina Beaufort
S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,124enrollment
  • $16,113net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,666enrollment
  • $8,208net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Fairmont State University
F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,498enrollment
  • $10,794net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $15,773net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-17ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Bluefield State College
B
HBCU
Bluefield, WV
 

Bluefield State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,306enrollment
  • $11,759net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1