vanderbilt

Best Colleges & Uni­ver­si­ties in the South Top Consensus Ranked Schools in the South

Ready to start your journey?

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.

Recommended Online Colleges & Universities

Explore our featured online programs to find the right match for you today.

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.

90.8
College Consensus
86.9
Student Consensus
94.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
89.8
College Consensus
81.8
Student Consensus
97.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
89.5
College Consensus
86.4
Student Consensus
92.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
88.1
College Consensus
84.5
Student Consensus
91.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
86.2
College Consensus
81.7
Student Consensus
90.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges & Universities

Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid

86.1
College Consensus
81.5
Student Consensus
90.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
85.1
College Consensus
80.8
Student Consensus
89.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
85
College Consensus
80.5
Student Consensus
89.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
84.9
College Consensus
82.3
Student Consensus
87.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
84.5
College Consensus
84.6
Student Consensus
84.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges & Universities

Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid

84.2
College Consensus
85.2
Student Consensus
83.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
83
College Consensus
82.8
Student Consensus
83.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
82.2
College Consensus
85.8
Student Consensus
78.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
80.7
College Consensus
81.4
Student Consensus
79.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
79.4
College Consensus
80.7
Student Consensus
78.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
78.6
College Consensus
78.2
Student Consensus
79
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
78.4
College Consensus
81.7
Student Consensus
75.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
77.9
College Consensus
83.9
Student Consensus
71.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
77.8
College Consensus
79.6
Student Consensus
76
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
77.7
College Consensus
83.9
Student Consensus
71.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
77.3
College Consensus
81
Student Consensus
73.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
76.7
College Consensus
69.6
Student Consensus
83.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
76.1
College Consensus
82.3
Student Consensus
69.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
76
College Consensus
78.8
Student Consensus
73.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
73.8
College Consensus
81.5
Student Consensus
66
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges & Universities

Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid

73.4
College Consensus
75.9
Student Consensus
71
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
70.9
College Consensus
83.4
Student Consensus
58.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
70.5
College Consensus
78
Student Consensus
62.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
69.8
College Consensus
83.5
Student Consensus
56.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
69.5
College Consensus
80.3
Student Consensus
58.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
69.3
College Consensus
82.4
Student Consensus
56.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
69.2
College Consensus
80.6
Student Consensus
57.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
69
College Consensus
78.3
Student Consensus
59.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
68.5
College Consensus
73.6
Student Consensus
63.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
68.3
College Consensus
78.4
Student Consensus
58.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
68.2
College Consensus
78.9
Student Consensus
57.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
67.8
College Consensus
81
Student Consensus
54.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
67.4
College Consensus
82
Student Consensus
52.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
67.3
College Consensus
75.7
Student Consensus
58.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
66.5
College Consensus
84.8
Student Consensus
48.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
66.4
College Consensus
79.3
Student Consensus
53.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
65.5
College Consensus
77.9
Student Consensus
53.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
65.4
College Consensus
82.6
Student Consensus
48.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
64.5
College Consensus
79.6
Student Consensus
49.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
63.8
College Consensus
74.5
Student Consensus
53.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
63.6
College Consensus
76.8
Student Consensus
50.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
62.8
College Consensus
82.1
Student Consensus
43.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
62.1
College Consensus
76.8
Student Consensus
47.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
61.7
College Consensus
73.9
Student Consensus
49.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023
61.6
College Consensus
76.6
Student Consensus
46.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges & Universities

Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid

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.

Related:

Biggest College Scholarships

Best MBA Programs in the South

2022 Best Historically Black Colleges & Universities

Biggest Scholarships for Black and African-American Students

Ultimate Guide to College for Latinx & Hispanic Students

Biggest Scholarships for Latino and Hispanic Students

Ready to start your journey?

Ready to start your journey?