Top Rated Southeast Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southeast for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Southeast as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in the Southeast is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Southeast Public 4 year

144 results

College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 11,729enrollment
  • $20,806net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Arkansas
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A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 32,140enrollment
  • $17,475net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Radford University
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R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,531enrollment
  • $18,282net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Mississippi State University
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M
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Mississippi

  • 22,657enrollment
  • $16,480net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1410SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Virginia Commonwealth University
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V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,238enrollment
  • $22,852net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

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University of Alabama at Huntsville
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A
Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 8,743enrollment
  • $19,847net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1440SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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West Virginia University
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W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,200enrollment
  • $13,691net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Old Dominion University
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O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Tennessee Technological University
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T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 10,117enrollment
  • $15,138net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 26,785enrollment
  • $14,470net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 21,253enrollment
  • $14,712net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Florida
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N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,453enrollment
  • $10,628net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Louisiana Tech University
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L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 11,427enrollment
  • $12,593net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Florida International University
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F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 53,953enrollment
  • $10,742net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Longwood University
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L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,545enrollment
  • $22,900net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Montevallo
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M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 2,942enrollment
  • $17,280net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Louisiana Monroe
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L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,272enrollment
  • $11,160net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1350SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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