Top Rated Southeast Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southeast for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Southeast as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in the Southeast is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


143 results

Winthrop University
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Murray State University
M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 9,479enrollment
  • $11,042net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 965-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,978enrollment
  • $10,979net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Frostburg State University
F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,067enrollment
  • $16,114net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

University of Louisiana Monroe
L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,398enrollment
  • $11,353net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1320SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

University of South Alabama
S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,438enrollment
  • $15,664net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1003-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
A
Little Rock, AR

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 8,197enrollment
  • $11,173net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

Delta State University
D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,556enrollment
  • $14,138net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1280SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

The University of West Florida
W
Pensacola, FL

The University of West Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 13,521enrollment
  • $8,609net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Florida Atlantic University
F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

The University of Virginia's College at Wise
V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Georgia State University
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

The University of Tennessee Martin
T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,868enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 15,219enrollment
  • $13,036net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1198SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1