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 Times Higher Education, 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
Elon University
73.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
70
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
77.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
2
Rollins College
71.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
69
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
3
James Madison University
70.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
63.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
77.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
4
Samford University
69.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
65
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
5
Appalachian State University
68.6
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
77.4
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
6
Harding University
68.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
60.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
7
John Brown University
67.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.8
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
80.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
8
Western Carolina University
66.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
57
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
9
Stetson University
66.1
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
10
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
65.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
62
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
11
Christopher Newport University
65.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.6
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
11
Asbury University
65.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
56.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
75.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
13
Berry College
65.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
57.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
73.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
13
Eastern Mennonite University
65.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
15
Columbia International University
65.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
16
Loyola University New Orleans
65.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
16
Bryan College-Dayton
65.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
53.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
77
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
18
University of North Carolina Wilmington
65.1
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
75.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
18
Mississippi University for Women
65.1
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
51.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
78.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
20
College of Charleston
65
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
55.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74.2
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
21
Winthrop University
64.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
22
University of Mary Washington
64.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
23
Georgia College and State University
64.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
57
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
23
Longwood University
64.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
57
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
23
Wingate University
64.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
56.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
23
William Carey University
64.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
55.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
73.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
27
Belmont University
63.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
56.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
28
University of Montevallo
63.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
56
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
29
University of Lynchburg
63.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
56.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
30
Anderson University (SC)
63.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
30
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
63.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
52
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
32
Xavier University of Louisiana
63.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
56.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
32
Columbia College (SC)
63.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
34
Brenau University
63.1
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
35
Piedmont College
62.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
53.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
36
Arkansas State University-Main Campus
62.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
75
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
37
Lincoln Memorial University
62.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
51.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
38
Freed-Hardeman University
62.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
53
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
39
Florida Southern College
62.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
52.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
40
Campbell University
62.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
40
Palm Beach Atlantic University
62.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
52
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
42
Coastal Carolina University
62.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
73.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
42
West Virginia Wesleyan College
62.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
52
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
44
Bellarmine University
61.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
54.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
44
Lee University
61.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
51.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
46
Hampton University
61.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
59.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
63.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
47
The University of Tampa
61.6
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
48
Jacksonville State University
61.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
49
University of North Alabama
61.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
49
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
73.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
50
Marshall University
61
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
53
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
51
Nicholls State University
60.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
45
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.7
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
51
Thomas More College
60.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
47.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
53
Morehead State University
60.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
49.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
53
Montreat College
60.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
44.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
77
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
55
Queens University of Charlotte
60.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
55
Converse College
60.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
49
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
55
King University
60.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
48.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
58
Murray State University
59.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
73.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
59
Alcorn State University
59.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
60
North Greenville University
59.6
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
44.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
61
University of Central Arkansas
59.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
48
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
62
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
59.1
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
57.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
60.4
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
63
Western Kentucky University
58.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
63
Austin Peay State University
58.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
47.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.2
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
63
Campbellsville University
58.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
41.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
76.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
66
Mississippi College
58.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
49
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
68.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
67
University of North Florida
58.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71.4
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
67
University of Charleston
58.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
67.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
67
Henderson State University
58.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
70
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
58.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
74
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
71
Tuskegee University
58.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
47
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
72
Christian Brothers University
58.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
73
Francis Marion University
57.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
45.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
74
Marymount University
57.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
50.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
64
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
74
North Carolina Central University
57.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
68.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
76
Auburn University at Montgomery
57.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
44
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
76
St Thomas University
57.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
48
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
78
Florida Gulf Coast University
57.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
42.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
72
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
78
University of North Georgia
57.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
45
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
80
Charleston Southern University
57
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
47.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
80
Elizabeth City State University
57
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
46
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
68
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
82
Wheeling Jesuit University
56.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
47.3
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
82
McNeese State University
56.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
45
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
68.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
82
Pfeiffer University
56.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
47
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
85
Carson-Newman University
56.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.5
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
86
Faulkner University
55.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
68.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
87
Virginia State University
55.8
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
40.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
71
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
88
Methodist University
55.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
45
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
89
Eastern Kentucky University
55.4
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
40
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
70.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
90
Mary Baldwin University
55.3
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
44
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66.6
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
91
Tusculum College
54.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
45.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
63.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
91
Winston-Salem State University
54.7
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
42.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
93
Northern Kentucky University
54.6
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
39.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69.4
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
94
Louisiana College
54.5
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
95
Columbus State University
54.2
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
64.8
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
96
Albany State University
54
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
42
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
66
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
97
Lynn University
53.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
38.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
97
Cumberland University
53.9
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
43.5
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
64.3
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018
99
Troy University
53
COLLEGE CONSENSUS
36.7
PUBLISHER CONSENSUS
69.2
STUDENT CONSENSUS
Accessed April, 2018