The Southeast is often what people think of when they say “The South.” Schools in these states are some of the oldest in the country, dating back to the Civil War and even before in many cases. For our top 25 best colleges in the Southeast United States rankings, we’ve included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Top 25 Best Colleges in the Southeast US
Methodists and Quakers founded Duke University in 1838. The school has produced 50 Rhodes Scholars, three Turing Award winners, and 15 Noble laureates. Known as the Blue Devils, the university’s colors are Duke blue and white. The top majors among students include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Public Policy Analysis.
Location
Durham, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
18,023
Vanderbilt receives about 45,300 applications each admission cycle from prospective students. Top majors students pursue include Social Sciences, General and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies. The university was named in honor of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and rail magnate, due to his gift of $1 million.
Location
Nashville, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
13,710
Originally known as the Augusta Academy and established in 1749, it would later be named after George Washington and Robert E. Lee, the latter of which was the president of the school for five years. With blue and white colors, students and athletes go by the nickname The Generals. The university boasts a first year retention rate of 98% and a student to faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
Location
Lexington, VA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,243
Thomas Jefferson founded The University of Virginia. The school had a Board of Visitors that included Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison. Well known for its secret societies, the school is also known for their sporting accomplishments. The Cavaliers, who wear orange and blue, have over 30 championship wins.
Location
Charlottesville, VA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
26,082
Emory University received 32,000 applications last year and had an acceptance rate of just 11%. It has a strong 95% first year retention rate, 83% four year graduation rate, and 9 to 1 student to faculty ratio. There are nine academic divisions in this school including Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Rollins School of Public Health, and others.
Location
Atlanta, GA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
14,841
Davidson College was founded in 1837 and already started trying to reduce the cost of college for students by the 1850’s. Today, the school meets the financial needs of students through grants, student employment, and other aid. In fact, 65% of students receive institutional grant aid. 15% of applicants are accepted to Davidson and 94% decide to stay on after the first year.
Location
Davidson, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,927
The University of North at Chapel Hill goes by several different names including UNC, Chapel Hill, and Carolina. It’s a public research university and the flagship of the school system. Enrolling students in 1795, it’s one of the oldest public schools in the country. UNC became coeducational in 1877 and began admitting African-American graduate students in 1951.
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
31,705
Management Science, Business Administration and Management, and Law are popular majors at Wake Forest. The school has produced astounding alumni, including 15 Rhodes Scholars, 15 Truman Scholars, and 92 Fulbright recipients. A founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons wear old gold and black.
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,963
“Verbum Vitae et Lumen Scientiae” or “Word of Life and the Light of Knowledge” is the motto of the University of Richmond. About 23% of applying students are accepted. 3,150 attending students are undergraduates. The school has an interesting mascot - WebstUR the Spider.
Location
Richmond, VA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,876
The second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, King William III and Queen Mary II founded the aptly named College of William & Mary in 1693. A public research university, alumni have included Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, James Comey, and Jon Stewart. The mascot is the Griffin.
Location
Williamsburg, VA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
9,654
Tulane University of Louisiana got its start in 1834 as a public medical college, then known as the Medical College of Louisiana. It became a full university in 1847 and went private in 1884. Today it is the 15th oldest medical school in the country. Tulane University is very selective, accepting 11% of applicants, but it is free to apply.
Location
New Orleans, LA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
14,027
Part of the Southeastern Conference, the University of Florida has a wide variety of sports from football to gymnastics and has over 500 athletes. The team members are known as the Gators and wear orange and blue uniforms. Just over 23% of students are accepted, 44% of which will go on to attend the following fall.
Location
Gainesville, FL
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
55,211
Also referred to as Georgia Tech, this public research university was founded in 1885 as part of the Reconstruction plans post Civil War. At first, it only offered degrees in Mechanical Engineering. In 1901, it would also offer Chemical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering. Today, the top two majors are Computer and Information Sciences and Mechanical Engineering.
Location
Atlanta, GA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
45,296
The University of Miami is fairly selective, accepting just over 18% of more than 49,000 applicants. Finance and Registered Nursing are the two most popular majors on campus, but Marketing, Psychology, and Economics are also common among students. 63.3% of students at the University of Miami are undergraduates.
Location
Coral Gables, FL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
19,402
The North Carolina State University at Raleigh is part of the largest university system in the Carolinas: the Research Triangle with Duke University and University of North Carolina. Also known as NC State, the school has a 16 to 1 student to faculty ratio and 94% first year retention rate. A whopping 85% of the incoming class calls North Carolina home.
Location
Raleigh, NC
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
36,700
The University of Georgia has an acceptance rate of just over 42% and many students will go on to major in Finance, Psychology, and Biology. It’s one of the oldest public schools in the United States (founded in 1785). This Public Ivy university has quite a few famous alumni graduates including state governors, football players, scientists, Pulitzer Prize winners, and more.
Location
Athens, GA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
40,607
Getting its start in the mid-1830’s with the Montgomery Academy, today’s student body of Rhodes College is primarily undergraduate (99%) and has an acceptance rate just over 53%. “Truth, Loyalty, Service” is the motto of Rhodes. Red and black are the colors for the Lynx sports teams, who compete in events like lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track.
Location
Memphis, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,008
Florida State University was founded in 1851 and today is well known for its sports programs. Athletes are known as the Seminoles and the team has won 21 national athletic championships. Florida State has a 94% first year retention rate and a majority of first-time students come from its home state.
Location
Tallahassee, FL
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
44,161
Centre College’s motto is “Doctrina Lux Mentis,” or “Learning is the Light of the Mind.” The college accepts 63% of applicants and it's free to apply. 85% will graduate within 4 years. The highest degree offered is the bachelor’s, so you’ll only find undergraduate students on campus.
Location
Danville, KY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,357
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts only accepts 32% of students; 58% of those accepted will go on to attend the following fall. The university has a 6 to 1 student to faculty ratio and a 93% first year retention rate. There are only five available majors, with many students choosing Cinematography and Film as well as Technical Theatre.
Location
Winston Salem, NC
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,104
Furman is the oldest private institution of higher learning in the state of South Carolina. 88% of students decide to stay at the school after their first year. Kinesiology, Biology/Biology Sciences, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric are the most popular majors at Furman. Purple and white are the school colors and the students are known as the Paladins.
Location
Greenville, SC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,443
More commonly known as Sewanee, The University of the South sits on 13,000 acres. These grounds are more commonly known as “The Domain” or “The Mountain.” Many of the stunning buildings are done in a Gothic style including the many chapels. The university also founded the Sewanee Review in 1892, which is the oldest continuous literary magazine in the country.
Location
Sewanee, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,704
Clemson University boasts a large campus, spanning 1,400 acres at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside Lake Hartwell, making for a stunning sight. The school also has the Clemson Experimental Forest which can be used for recreation as well as education and research. Clemon’s most popular major is Business Administration and Management.
Location
Clemson, SC
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
28,466
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is more commonly known as Virginia Tech. Students are known as Hokies and wear Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange to show off their school spirit. Virginia Tech accepts about 57% of students who apply. 79.7% of the students studying at Virginia Tech are undergraduates.
Location
Blacksburg, VA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
38,170
Elon University sits on a 690 acre campus and receives around 18,800 applications each year, about 67% of those applicants are accepted. The most popular majors among students are Public Relations, Advertising, Applied Communication, Finance, and Law. The school's motto "Numen Lumen" means intellectual and spiritual light.
Location
Elon, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,123
State Grant Aid in the Southeast US
Affording college can be a scary prospect for students and their families, but there are options available. Many states, including those in the Southeast United States, offer financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships to its students. You may have to currently live in the state to qualify, but if you’re interested in learning more about these opportunities that could save you thousands, start with our State Grants Guide here.
Why is the Southeast a Great Place to Go to School?
For students who don’t like the cold and enjoy warmer weather, the Southeast may be the way to go for your education. While there are exceptions (you will get snow in Virginia and West Virginia for example), these states are perfect for those who want plenty of culture and history with warmer weather year round.
The states in the Southeast have some of the most unique cities you’ll find in the United States! Louisiana is, of course, home to New Orleans where students can see the mouth of the Mississippi River, visit the world class zoos and aquariums, and take a trip into the rich history of the area. Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta, Mobile, and other cities in the area also offer unique views into our country’s past, amazing food, and fun activities.
In addition, the southeast region is home to some of the most amazing and beautiful beaches in the United States. Florida springs to mind with the Emerald Coast! You can also plan a trip to one of the region’s many national parks, such as the Crater of Diamonds State Park, where you can take home any diamonds you find! Or spend a weekend in one of Florida’s many theme parks from Busch Gardens to Walt Disney World.
When it comes to education, many of the best and oldest colleges in the country are located in the Southeast, and several have extremely rich histories. From small colleges to large universities to liberal arts schools to research universities, students can find a wide range of opportunities in these states and a variety of degree programs.
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
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