The Consensus Best Colleges and Universities in the South applies the College Consensus method to a ranking of colleges that provide top-tier higher education in the South. College Consensus uses a combination of published rankings and verified student reviews to generate an aggregate ranking of the best the South has to offer. Prospective Southern college students need to look no further for the full picture of the South’s higher education opportunities.
How Do We Rank the Best Colleges in the South?
College Consensus rankings combine the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking of the Best Colleges in the United States. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.
The Best Colleges & Universities in the South category is limited to schools in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV.
What’s Different About the College Consensus Ranking?
College Consensus takes a higher perspective on the college ranking landscape, leveling the playing field. Every ranking has its focus, and every student review has its bias, but in College Consensus rankings, every voice gets its due. That means that the much-loved but less prominent regional college has as much opportunity to shine as the most famous research university. For the Best Colleges and Universities in the South, it means the schools that make a difference in students’ lives get the recognition they deserve.
The Consensus Best Colleges and Universities in the South are listed in descending order by their Consensus score.
1
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
2
Duke University
Durham, NC
3
Rice University
Houston, TX
4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
5
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
6
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
7
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
8
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA
9
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
10
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
11
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
12
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
13
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
14
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
15
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX
16
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
17
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
18
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
19
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
20
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
21
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
22
Berea College
Berea, KY
23
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
24
Texas A & M International University
Laredo, TX
25
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX
26
University of Dallas
Irving, TX
27
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN
28
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA
29
Elon University
Elon, NC
30
Centre College
Danville, KY
31
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
32
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
33
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
34
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR
35
Furman University
Greenville, SC
36
Florida International University
Miami, FL
37
Baylor University
Waco, TX
38
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
39
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
40
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
41
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
42
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL
43
The University of the South
Sewanee, TN
44
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
45
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
46
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX
47
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
48
Millsaps College
Jackson, MS
49
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX
50
West Texas A & M University
Canyon, TX
What are the Best Parts of Going to College in the South?
The best southern colleges are often big on sports. Whether you like football, basketball, or even golf, you can support your school while watching your favorite sport. Football is the most popular sport for most universities in the South, but other sports abound. Most colleges in the South offer intramural sports as well, so every student who wants to participate can be part of the college sports scene.
Another great thing about southern colleges is the low cost of living. In many southern states, the cost of rent, utilities, gas, and groceries is lower than in other parts of the country. Many down south colleges offer lower tuition rates as well, resulting in an overall reduced price for your college experience.
The best colleges in the South also offer a sense of community that comes from southern hospitality. Southern students may be more likely to look out for one another than students from big cities like New York, where it seems like everyone is looking out only for themselves.
Colleges down south have another benefit: warmer weather. For students who want to get away from the cold and snow, choosing one of the best universities in the South is a no-brainer.
The South offers many opportunities for adventuring in the great outdoors, whether you like hiking, fishing, boating, or exploring caves. You could visit a beach, hike up a mountain, or hit the bike trails. You could also visit a nearby tourist destination, such as Providence Canyon State Park in Georgia or Ginnie Springs in Florida.
Should I Go to College in the South if I’m Not Southern?
Rumor has it that colleges down south are more conservative, maybe even backwards. If you’re worried about being out of place, you’ve got the wrong idea. Although there may be some political differences, southerners are, in general, nice people.
Of course, most of the other students will speak differently than you do, but that’s OK. You’ll gain some experience interacting with people who have a different cultural background than yourself. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to experience some southern hospitality and make friends who will truly support you.
It’s true that you may feel a little uncomfortable at first as you get used to interacting with people who have different backgrounds than yourself, but this is part of the college experience.
The most important thing for students who attend southern universities to remember is to be tolerant of other people and their beliefs. You can still be friends with someone even if you don’t share the same political beliefs, as long as you both treat each other with respect.
Are Colleges in the South Diverse?
Although many of the best schools in the South are diverse, diversity varies quite a bit from one school to another. U.S. News ranks Georgia Gwinnet College, Palm Beach State College, Broward College, and Florida SouthWestern State College as the most diverse schools in the South.
According to that same report, Philander Smith College, Alice Lloyd College, Stillman College, and Benedict College are the least diverse schools in the South.
Most colleges in the South make at least some effort to increase their diversity by trying to appeal to students from other states and from foreign countries. Going to a more diverse school exposes you to other cultures and beliefs and helps make you a more well-rounded person.
The south is home to respected HBCUs and Hispanic-serving institutions, and the international population is growing throughout the south, not only in business hubs like Atlanta and Charlotte.
Diversity encourages innovation and creativity because people from different backgrounds see the world differently. These differences mean additional perspectives and points of view to help drive innovation. If everyone had the same shared experiences, there would be no new ideas.
In addition, diversity increases productivity and leads to improved performance. This is because people from different backgrounds have different skill sets, and each person can focus on what they do best, leading to increased productivity for the group.
Diversity also encourages personal growth. It forces us to learn about others. As we learn new languages and explore other cultures and traditions, we become better versions of ourselves.
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