Top Rated Southeast Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the Southeast for 2024

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


136 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

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

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

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

Centre College
C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kentucky

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $23,584net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1470SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Union University
U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,731enrollment
  • $28,585net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Loyola University Maryland
L
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Maryland

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 5,238enrollment
  • $33,312net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1360SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Rollins College
R
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,029enrollment
  • $35,317net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Samford University
S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,682enrollment
  • $31,803net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1