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

Coppin State University
C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,006enrollment
  • $8,562net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Florida Gulf Coast University
F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 15,969enrollment
  • $10,834net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

Northern Kentucky University
N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,801enrollment
  • $7,259net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Marshall University
M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in West Virginia

  • 10,691enrollment
  • $8,756net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

University of South Carolina Upstate
S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,913enrollment
  • $13,835net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

West Virginia University Institute of Technology
W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,481enrollment
  • $9,529net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Central Arkansas
C
Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,913enrollment
  • $15,456net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Mississippi University for Women
M
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,339enrollment
  • $12,691net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

University of New Orleans
N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,111enrollment
  • $11,508net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Eastern Kentucky University
E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,324enrollment
  • $10,806net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 940-1185SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Arkansas State University Main Campus
A
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 13,190enrollment
  • $12,011net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Shepherd University
S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,235enrollment
  • $9,827net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,094enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 905-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

University of Southern Mississippi
S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,526enrollment
  • $14,427net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Western Kentucky University
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,493enrollment
  • $12,625net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

University of South Carolina Aiken
S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,840enrollment
  • $11,872net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1