vanderbilt

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

Higher Education Consultant
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Gabe is a higher education consultant and former English professor with a doctorate in English from University of Georgia. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Gabe has taught at nearly every kind of institution, from major R1 public universities to small liberal arts colleges to community colleges.
Founder/Senior Editor
B.A., M.Div.
Jeremy Alder has spent over a decade researching and writing about higher education to provided students with the information they need to achieve their goals. He has significant personal experience with career transitions, working as a freelance writer and editor, non-profit director, community organizer, preacher, teacher, retail manager, and carpenter prior to founding College Consensus. Homeschooled from the second grade, Jeremy is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (B.A., Philosophy) and Duke University Divinity School (M.Div.). He currently lives in North Carolina with his wife, five kids, and a Labradoodle named Hank.

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

90.8
College Consensus
86.9
Student Consensus
94.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

89.8
College Consensus
81.8
Student Consensus
97.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

89.5
College Consensus
86.4
Student Consensus
92.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

4

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

88.1
College Consensus
84.5
Student Consensus
91.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

5

University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

86.2
College Consensus
81.7
Student Consensus
90.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

6

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

86.1
College Consensus
81.5
Student Consensus
90.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

7

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

85.1
College Consensus
80.8
Student Consensus
89.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

8

Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA

85
College Consensus
80.5
Student Consensus
89.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

9

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

84.9
College Consensus
82.3
Student Consensus
87.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

10

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

84.5
College Consensus
84.6
Student Consensus
84.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

11

Davidson College
Davidson, NC

84.2
College Consensus
85.2
Student Consensus
83.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

12

The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX

83
College Consensus
82.8
Student Consensus
83.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA

82.2
College Consensus
85.8
Student Consensus
78.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

14

William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA

80.7
College Consensus
81.4
Student Consensus
79.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

15

Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX

79.4
College Consensus
80.7
Student Consensus
78.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

16

University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

78.6
College Consensus
78.2
Student Consensus
79
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

17

Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

78.4
College Consensus
81.7
Student Consensus
75.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

18

Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

77.9
College Consensus
83.9
Student Consensus
71.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

19

University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

77.8
College Consensus
79.6
Student Consensus
76
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

20

University of Georgia
Athens, GA

77.7
College Consensus
83.9
Student Consensus
71.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

21

North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

77.3
College Consensus
81
Student Consensus
73.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

22

Berea College
Berea, KY

76.7
College Consensus
69.6
Student Consensus
83.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

23

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

76.1
College Consensus
82.3
Student Consensus
69.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

24

Texas A & M International University
Laredo, TX

76
College Consensus
78.8
Student Consensus
73.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

25

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

73.8
College Consensus
81.5
Student Consensus
66
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

26

University of Dallas
Irving, TX

73.4
College Consensus
75.9
Student Consensus
71
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

27

Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

70.9
College Consensus
83.4
Student Consensus
58.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

28

Spelman College
Atlanta, GA

70.5
College Consensus
78
Student Consensus
62.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

29

Elon University
Elon, NC

69.8
College Consensus
83.5
Student Consensus
56.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

30

Centre College
Danville, KY

69.5
College Consensus
80.3
Student Consensus
58.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

31

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

69.3
College Consensus
82.4
Student Consensus
56.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

32

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

69.2
College Consensus
80.6
Student Consensus
57.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

33

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

69
College Consensus
78.3
Student Consensus
59.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

34

John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

68.5
College Consensus
73.6
Student Consensus
63.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

35

Furman University
Greenville, SC

68.3
College Consensus
78.4
Student Consensus
58.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

36

Florida International University
Miami, FL

68.2
College Consensus
78.9
Student Consensus
57.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

37

Baylor University
Waco, TX

67.8
College Consensus
81
Student Consensus
54.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

38

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

67.4
College Consensus
82
Student Consensus
52.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

39

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

67.3
College Consensus
75.7
Student Consensus
58.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

40

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

66.5
College Consensus
84.8
Student Consensus
48.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

41

University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

66.4
College Consensus
79.3
Student Consensus
53.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

42

Rollins College
Winter Park, FL

65.5
College Consensus
77.9
Student Consensus
53.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

43

The University of the South
Sewanee, TN

65.4
College Consensus
82.6
Student Consensus
48.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

44

University of South Florida
Tampa, FL

64.5
College Consensus
79.6
Student Consensus
49.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

45

College of Charleston
Charleston, SC

63.8
College Consensus
74.5
Student Consensus
53.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

46

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX

63.6
College Consensus
76.8
Student Consensus
50.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

47

University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK

62.8
College Consensus
82.1
Student Consensus
43.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

48

Millsaps College
Jackson, MS

62.1
College Consensus
76.8
Student Consensus
47.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

49

The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX

61.7
College Consensus
73.9
Student Consensus
49.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

50

West Texas A & M University
Canyon, TX

61.6
College Consensus
76.6
Student Consensus
46.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

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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