Top Rated South Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the South for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the South. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the highest ranked private college in the South is Duke University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


170 results

Duke University
D
Durham, NC

Duke University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,023enrollment
  • $23,694net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Rice University
R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in America

  • 8,672enrollment
  • $19,902net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Johns Hopkins University
J
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in America

  • 31,275enrollment
  • $24,034net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1520-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Vanderbilt University
V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,710enrollment
  • $25,606net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Emory University
E
Atlanta, GA

Emory University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in America

  • 14,841enrollment
  • $26,680net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Washington and Lee University
W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value in Virginia

  • 2,243enrollment
  • $24,733net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1533SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Davidson College
D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,927enrollment
  • $26,704net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

University of Richmond
R
University of Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,876enrollment
  • $29,248net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1398-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

University of Miami
M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,402enrollment
  • $36,467net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,053enrollment
  • $45,094net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Trinity University
T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,692enrollment
  • $30,038net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Sewanee The University of the South
S
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University of the South

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $33,061net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1233-1380SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Furman University
F
Greenville, SC

Furman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,443enrollment
  • $33,370net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1455SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Texas Christian University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 12,273enrollment
  • $44,190net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Elon University
E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $41,527net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

Rhodes College
R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,008enrollment
  • $30,672net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Wofford College
W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,823enrollment
  • $31,192net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1353SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Baylor University
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,709enrollment
  • $45,988net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1410SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1