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

Coppin State University
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C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,101enrollment
  • $7,684net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,167enrollment
  • $10,548net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in West Virginia

  • 1,448enrollment
  • $11,015net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
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F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,265enrollment
  • $15,491net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1150SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Marshall University
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M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 11,027enrollment
  • $9,734net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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University of Central Arkansas
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C
Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,790enrollment
  • $16,362net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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West Liberty University
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W
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 2,348enrollment
  • $14,203net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 890-1125SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Arkansas State University Main Campus
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A
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 14,032enrollment
  • $13,002net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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N
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,847enrollment
  • $13,156net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 925-1243SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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University of Southern Mississippi
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Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,110enrollment
  • $14,050net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Georgia
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W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Aiken
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S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shepherd University
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S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,318enrollment
  • $12,651net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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