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

Belmont University
B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,910enrollment
  • $36,225net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Presbyterian College
P
Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,199enrollment
  • $21,571net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 21

Maryland Institute College of Art
M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $43,545net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 967-1362SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Eckerd College
E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,993enrollment
  • $40,119net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Hendrix College
H
Conway, AR

Hendrix College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,144enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1133-1328SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Florida Institute of Technology
F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 8,315enrollment
  • $30,752net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Agnes Scott College
A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,114enrollment
  • $24,305net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
F
Orlando, FL

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $27,329net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1140SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

LeTourneau University
L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,536enrollment
  • $26,974net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1380SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Bellarmine University
B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,970enrollment
  • $22,813net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Berry College
B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Spelman College
S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $37,085net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Meredith College
M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,587enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Abilene Christian University
A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 5,079enrollment
  • $28,978net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Roanoke College
R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,826enrollment
  • $29,169net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Florida Southern College
F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,281enrollment
  • $27,324net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Mount St Mary's University
M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $24,379net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

William Carey University
W
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $15,271net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA