Best Regional Universities – South

Top Consensus Ranked Schools 2019

The Consensus Best Regional Universities-South uses the College Consensus method to guide students to the regional institutions that have made their mark, in both published rankings, and in students’ reviews. As an aggregate ranking, the Consensus helps students see the big picture, pulling together rankings and reviews from all over the internet to rank the South’s most-loved and most trusted universities.

How Do We Rank the Best Regional Universities in the South?

The College Consensus is made up of two broad categories. For the Publisher Rating, we gather all of a school’s published rankings from sites including The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and Wallethub, for a full picture of rankings. For the Student Review Rating, we comb reputable review sites like Unigo and Niche for all of the reviews a school has earned. We then combine those scores for the overall College Consensus.

The Consensus Best Regional Universities-South applies this method to the Southern universities classified as having a regional mission. These are Carnegie Classification master’s universities that offer undergraduate and graduate programs that have a primarily regional, rather than national, reach. These are the universities training the South’s professional workforce, from healthcare to business, and often doing it at an affordable cost. The best regional universities are a crucial part of life in the South, especially for rural areas.

What’s Different About the College Consensus Ranking?

Since the College Consensus gets its numbers from a variety of sources, a Consensus ranking is the most comprehensive, least biased out there. Our method makes sure that all the players in higher education get their say – not just administrators, faculty, and expert observers, but the students on the ground and online actually experiencing it. That means the College Consensus is a ranking all its own, giving future and current students a unique perspective on the higher education scene. Read more about our rankings methodology and sources at our about page.

The Consensus Best Regional Universities-South are listed in descending order by their Consensus score. In the event of ties, schools are ranked in alphabetical order with the same rank number.

1

Rollins College

Winter Park, FL

75.8

College Consensus

77.8

Publisher Consensus

73.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

2

Elon University

Elon, NC

75.2

College Consensus

72.7

Publisher Consensus

77.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

3

Samford University

Birmingham, AL

71.8

College Consensus

68.7

Publisher Consensus

74.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

4

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

71.7

College Consensus

65.1

Publisher Consensus

78.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

5

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC

71.1

College Consensus

72.6

Publisher Consensus

69.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

6

Stetson University

DeLand, FL

71.1

College Consensus

70

Publisher Consensus

72.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

7

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR

71

College Consensus

61.9

Publisher Consensus

80.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

8

Loyola University New Orleans

New Orleans, LA

69.5

College Consensus

60.7

Publisher Consensus

78.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

9

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC

69.1

College Consensus

60.6

Publisher Consensus

77.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

10

Berry College

Mount Berry, GA

68.8

College Consensus

63.2

Publisher Consensus

74.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

11

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA

67

College Consensus

60.7

Publisher Consensus

73.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

12

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

66.9

College Consensus

61.6

Publisher Consensus

72.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

13

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC

66.8

College Consensus

59.3

Publisher Consensus

74.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

14

Asbury University

Wilmore, KY

66.7

College Consensus

57.1

Publisher Consensus

76.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

15

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC

66.2

College Consensus

57

Publisher Consensus

75.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

16

Converse College

Spartanburg, SC

65.6

College Consensus

60.8

Publisher Consensus

70.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

17

Harding University

Searcy, AR

65.6

College Consensus

56.9

Publisher Consensus

74.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

18

Columbia International University

Columbia, SC

65.1

College Consensus

57.3

Publisher Consensus

72.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

19

Eastern Mennonite University

Harrisonburg, VA

64.9

College Consensus

55.6

Publisher Consensus

74.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

20

The University of Tampa

Tampa, FL

64.7

College Consensus

56.2

Publisher Consensus

73.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

21

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

64.6

College Consensus

53.1

Publisher Consensus

76.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

22

Bryan College-Dayton

Dayton, TN

64.5

College Consensus

52.1

Publisher Consensus

76.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

23

Florida Southern College

Lakeland, FL

64.4

College Consensus

57.2

Publisher Consensus

71.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

24

Mississippi University for Women

Columbus, MS

64.4

College Consensus

51.7

Publisher Consensus

77.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

25

Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

64.2

College Consensus

57.5

Publisher Consensus

70.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

26

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

64.1

College Consensus

59

Publisher Consensus

69.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

27

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

64

College Consensus

58.1

Publisher Consensus

70

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

28

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL

63.9

College Consensus

66.6

Publisher Consensus

61.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

29

Piedmont College

Demorest, GA

63.7

College Consensus

54.3

Publisher Consensus

73.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

30

Columbia College (Columbia, SC)

Columbia, SC

63.6

College Consensus

52.7

Publisher Consensus

74.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

31

William Carey University

Hattiesburg, MS

63.5

College Consensus

53

Publisher Consensus

74

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

32

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN

63.4

College Consensus

53.6

Publisher Consensus

73.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

33

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

63

College Consensus

55.6

Publisher Consensus

70.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

34

Brenau University

Gainesville, GA

62.9

College Consensus

54.4

Publisher Consensus

71.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

35

University of West Alabama

Livingston, AL

62.7

College Consensus

51.7

Publisher Consensus

73.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

36

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, VA

62.6

College Consensus

55

Publisher Consensus

70.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

37

Campbell University

Buies Creek, NC

62.6

College Consensus

55.5

Publisher Consensus

69.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

38

Longwood University

Farmville, VA

62.2

College Consensus

53.2

Publisher Consensus

71.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

39

Wheeling University

Wheeling, WV

62.1

College Consensus

57.8

Publisher Consensus

66.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

40

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC

62

College Consensus

53.4

Publisher Consensus

70.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

41

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL

61.7

College Consensus

51.8

Publisher Consensus

71.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

42

Mississippi College

Clinton, MS

61.6

College Consensus

54.4

Publisher Consensus

68.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

43

University of South Florida-St Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL

61.5

College Consensus

44.8

Publisher Consensus

78.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

44

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, GA

61.3

College Consensus

50.7

Publisher Consensus

71.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

45

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, WV

61.2

College Consensus

50.6

Publisher Consensus

71.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

46

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, VA

61.1

College Consensus

55.8

Publisher Consensus

66.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

47

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

61.1

College Consensus

50.1

Publisher Consensus

72

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

48

Hampton University

Hampton, VA

60.9

College Consensus

58.5

Publisher Consensus

63.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

49

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN

60.9

College Consensus

50.3

Publisher Consensus

71.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

50

Radford University

Radford, VA

60.8

College Consensus

48.8

Publisher Consensus

72.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

51

Thomas More University (KY)

Crestview Hills, KY

60.7

College Consensus

47

Publisher Consensus

74.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

52

Murray State University

Murray, KY

60.7

College Consensus

47.7

Publisher Consensus

73.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

53

Wingate University

Wingate, NC

60.7

College Consensus

49.9

Publisher Consensus

71.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

54

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN

60.6

College Consensus

44.4

Publisher Consensus

76.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

55

Palm Beach Atlantic University

West Palm Beach, FL

60.5

College Consensus

48.6

Publisher Consensus

72.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

56

Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TN

60.5

College Consensus

50

Publisher Consensus

71

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

57

Lee University

Cleveland, TN

60.5

College Consensus

45.9

Publisher Consensus

75.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

58

Alcorn State University

Alcorn State, MS

60.2

College Consensus

44.7

Publisher Consensus

75.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

59

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN

60.2

College Consensus

44.8

Publisher Consensus

75.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

60

Montreat College

Montreat, NC

60

College Consensus

43.7

Publisher Consensus

76.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

61

University of Montevallo

Montevallo, AL

59.9

College Consensus

48.4

Publisher Consensus

71.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

62

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, AL

59.8

College Consensus

42.6

Publisher Consensus

77

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

63

Anderson University (SC)

Anderson, SC

59.8

College Consensus

43.7

Publisher Consensus

75.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

64

St. Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL

59.5

College Consensus

49.5

Publisher Consensus

69.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

65

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC

59.5

College Consensus

45.4

Publisher Consensus

73.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

66

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

59.4

College Consensus

51.8

Publisher Consensus

67.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

67

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC

59.4

College Consensus

50.1

Publisher Consensus

68.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

68

North Greenville University

Tigerville, SC

59.2

College Consensus

44.2

Publisher Consensus

74.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

69

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL

59.1

College Consensus

46.3

Publisher Consensus

71.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

70

University of North Alabama

Florence, AL

58.8

College Consensus

43.9

Publisher Consensus

73.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

71

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN

58.8

College Consensus

47.7

Publisher Consensus

69.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

72

University of Charleston

Charleston, WV

58.7

College Consensus

47.6

Publisher Consensus

69.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

73

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Hickory, NC

58.6

College Consensus

44.3

Publisher Consensus

73

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

74

Arkansas State University-Main Campus

Jonesboro, AR

58.5

College Consensus

41.7

Publisher Consensus

75.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

75

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LA

58.4

College Consensus

39.6

Publisher Consensus

77.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

76

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL

58.4

College Consensus

47.4

Publisher Consensus

69.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

77

Marshall University

Huntington, WV

57.9

College Consensus

46.8

Publisher Consensus

69

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

78

Morehead State University

Morehead, KY

57.7

College Consensus

43.7

Publisher Consensus

71.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

79

Marymount University

Arlington, VA

57.6

College Consensus

50.9

Publisher Consensus

64.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

80

Southeastern University

Lakeland, FL

57.5

College Consensus

40.3

Publisher Consensus

74.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

81

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC

57.5

College Consensus

46

Publisher Consensus

68.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

82

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

56.9

College Consensus

43.4

Publisher Consensus

70.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

83

Pfeiffer University

Misenheimer, NC

56.8

College Consensus

47.4

Publisher Consensus

66.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

84

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR

56.8

College Consensus

42.7

Publisher Consensus

70.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

85

Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA

56.8

College Consensus

43.5

Publisher Consensus

70.1

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

86

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC

56.7

College Consensus

39.5

Publisher Consensus

73.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

87

Francis Marion University

Florence, SC

56.3

College Consensus

42.7

Publisher Consensus

70

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

88

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR

56.3

College Consensus

38.7

Publisher Consensus

73.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

89

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC

56

College Consensus

45.4

Publisher Consensus

66.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

90

Delta State University

Cleveland, MS

55.9

College Consensus

40.1

Publisher Consensus

71.7

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

91

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA

55.7

College Consensus

42.1

Publisher Consensus

69.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

92

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN

55.6

College Consensus

41.3

Publisher Consensus

70

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

93

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

55.6

College Consensus

42.1

Publisher Consensus

69

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

94

Louisiana College

Pineville, LA

55.5

College Consensus

46.6

Publisher Consensus

64.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

95

Lynn University

Boca Raton, FL

55.3

College Consensus

41.1

Publisher Consensus

69.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

96

Methodist University

Fayetteville, NC

55.2

College Consensus

44.2

Publisher Consensus

66.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

97

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA

54.8

College Consensus

38.3

Publisher Consensus

71.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

98

Auburn University at Montgomery

Montgomery, AL

54.7

College Consensus

39.6

Publisher Consensus

69.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

99

Savannah State University

Savannah, GA

54.6

College Consensus

38.6

Publisher Consensus

70.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

100

101

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, SC

54.5

College Consensus

41.7

Publisher Consensus

67.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

102

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV

54.1

College Consensus

40.9

Publisher Consensus

67.3

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

103

Tusculum University

Greeneville, TN

54.1

College Consensus

43.3

Publisher Consensus

64.8

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

104

Southern University and A & M College

Baton Rouge, LA

53.9

College Consensus

41.4

Publisher Consensus

66.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

105

Alabama State University

Montgomery, AL

53.7

College Consensus

36.2

Publisher Consensus

71.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

106

Albany State University

Albany, GA

53.4

College Consensus

40.8

Publisher Consensus

66

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

107

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR

53.3

College Consensus

34.4

Publisher Consensus

72.2

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

108

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN

52.7

College Consensus

41.1

Publisher Consensus

64.4

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

109

Columbus State University

Columbus, GA

52.5

College Consensus

40.6

Publisher Consensus

64.5

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

110

Concord University

Athens, WV

52.5

College Consensus

39.1

Publisher Consensus

65.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

111

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC

52.4

College Consensus

41

Publisher Consensus

63.9

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

112

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR

52.4

College Consensus

40.2

Publisher Consensus

64.6

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019

113

Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL

50.7

College Consensus

36.5

Publisher Consensus

65

Student Consensus

Last Accessed: May, 2019