The Best Southeastern Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the Southeast for 2025

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the Southeast as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2025 is Washington and Lee University. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Southeast small Public Private 4 year

108 results

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,128enrollment
  • $29,481net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $19,087net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 970-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,420enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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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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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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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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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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Faulkner University
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F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $19,908net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 886-1135SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg 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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Georgetown College
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G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Toccoa Falls College
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T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Limestone University
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L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,844enrollment
  • $14,595net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,572enrollment
  • $23,920net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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