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What Is a Reach School? What Is a Match School? What Is a Safety School? South Atlantic Region. By Allen Grove Allen Grove College Admissions Expert Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 10, 2019 The southeastern United States has some excellent colleges and universities, and my top picks range from small liberal arts colleges to giant state universities. UNC Chapel Hill, Virginia Tech, William and Mary, and the University of Virginia frequently appear among the country's top 10 public universities, and Duke is one of the nation's top private universities. The colleges and universities below were selected based on factors such as retention rates, graduation rates, student engagement, selectivity, and overall value. I have listed the schools alphabetically to avoid the often arbitrary distinctions that separate #1 from #2, and because of the futility of comparing a large research university to a small liberal arts college. The colleges and universities in the list below were selected from the South Atlantic region of the United States: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Agnes Scott College Agnes Scott College. Diliff / Wikimedia Commons Location: Decatur, Georgia Enrollment: 927 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private women's liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the country's top women's colleges; excellent value; 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; easy access to Atlanta; attractive campus For more information and admissions data, visit the Agnes Scott College profile Clemson University Clemson University. Blue Sun Photography / Flickr Location: Clemson, South Carolina Enrollment: 23,406 (18,599 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the country's best public universities; good value; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; attractive location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; highly regarded business and engineering programs; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Clemson University profile College of William and Mary William and Mary. Lyndi&Jason / flickr Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Enrollment: 8,617 (6,276 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the country's top public universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; second oldest institution of higher learning in the country (founded in 1693); member of the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association For more information and admissions data, visit the College of William and Mary profile Davidson College Davidson College. functoruser / Flickr Location: Davidson, North Carolina Enrollment: 1,796 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; one of the country's top liberal arts colleges; founded in 1837; honor code allows for self-scheduled exams; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Davidson College profile Duke University Duke University. mricon / Flickr Location: Durham, North Carolina Enrollment: 15,735 (6,609 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: One of the country's top ten universities; part of the "research triangle" with UNC Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Duke University profile Elon University Elon University. photo courtesy of Elon University / Office of University Relations Location: Elon, North Carolina Enrollment: 6,739 (6,008 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: High level of student engagement; strong programs for study abroad, internships, and volunteer work; popular pre-professional programs in business and communications; attractive red-brick campus; member of the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) For more information and admissions data, visit the Elon University profile Emory University Emory University Tower. Nrbelex / Flickr Location: Atlanta, Georgia Enrollment: 14,067 (6,861 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; multi-billion dollar endowment; one of the country's best universities; home to one of the top ten business schools For more information and admissions data, visit the Emory University profile Florida State University (FSU) Florida State University. J-a-x / Flickr Location: Tallahassee, Florida Enrollment: 41,173 (32,933 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the flagship campuses of Florida's state university system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; active fraternity and sorority system; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Florida State University profile Furman University Furman University. JeffersonDavis / Flickr Location: Greenville, South Carolina Enrollment: 3,003 (2,797 undergraduates) Type of Institution: liberal arts college Readers share their impressions of Furman Distinctions: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; high level of student engagement; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Southern Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Furman University profile Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Football Stadium. brian.chu / Flickr Location: Atlanta, Georgia Enrollment: 26,839 (15,489 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university with engineering focus Distinctions: One of the country's top public universities; one of the top engineering schools; excellent value; urban campus; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Georgia Tech profile Read More Top South Central Colleges and Universities By Allen Grove Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney College. MorrisS / Wikimedia Commons Location: Hampden-Sydney, Virginia Enrollment: 1,027 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private men's liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church Distinctions: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; 10th oldest college in the United States (founded in 1775); attractive 1,340-acre campus; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; one of the few all-male colleges in the country For more information and admissions data, visit the Hampden-Sydney College profile James Madison University James Madison University. taberandrew / Flickr Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia Enrollment: 21,270 (19,548 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: High rankings for value and academic quality; attractive campus features an open quad, lake, and arboretum; member of the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association and Eastern College Athletic Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the James Madison University profile New College of Florida New College. markus941 / Flickr Location: Sarasota, Florida Enrollment: 875 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: public liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the top public liberal arts colleges; oceanfront campus; student-centered curriculum has no traditional majors and emphasizes independent study; students receive written evaluations rather than grades; good value Explore Campus: New College photo tour For more information and admissions data, visit the New College of Florida profile North Carolina State University Raleigh NC State University Football. opus2008 / Flickr Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Enrollment: 33,755 (23,827 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Largest university in North Carolina; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; strong science and engineering programs; founding member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the NC State profile Rollins College Rollins College. mwhaling / Flickr Location: Winter Park, Florida Enrollment: 3,240 (2,642 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; highly ranked masters level university in the South; attractive 70-acre campus on the shores of Lake Virginia; strong commitment to international learning; member of the NCAA Division II Sunshine State Conference Explore the Campus: Rollins College photo tour For more information and admissions data, visit the Rollins Colleges profile Spelman College Spelman College. waynetaylor / Flickr Location: Atlanta, Georgia Enrollment: 2,125 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private all-female historically Black liberal arts college Distinctions: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; one of the country's top women's colleges; highly ranked school for promoting social mobility; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences For more information and admissions data, visit the Spelman College profile University of Florida University of Florida. randomduck / Flickr Location: Gainesville, Florida Explore the Campus: University of Florida Photo Tour Enrollment: 52,367 (34,554 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; strong pre-professional fields such as business, engineering and the health sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference Explore the Campus: University of Florida Photo Tour For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Florida profile University of Georgia University of Georgia. hyku / Flickr Location: Athens, Georgia Enrollment: 36,574 (27,951 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Rich history dating back to 1785; well-respected Honors Program for high-achieving students; appealing college town location; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Georgia profile University of Mary Washington University of Mary Washington. Jte288 / Wikimedia Commons Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Enrollment: 4,726 (4,357 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the top public liberal arts colleges; highly ranked for its quality and value; attractive 176-acre campus with Jeffersonian architecture; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Mary Washington profile University of Miami University of Miami. BurningQuestion / Flickr Location: Coral Gables, Florida Enrollment: 16,744 (10,792 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: Well-regarded program in Marine Biology; popular business and nursing programs; diverse student population; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Miami profile University of North Carolina Chapel Hill UNC Chapel Hill - Old Well. Seth Ilys / Wikimedia Commons Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina Enrollment: 29,468 (18,522 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the country's top public universities; home to one of the top undergraduate business schools; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the UNC Chapel Hill profile University of North Carolina Wilmington UNC Wilmington. Aaron / Flickr Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Enrollment: 15,740 (13,914 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Strong professional programs in business, education, communications and nursing; excellent value; located just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean; member of the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association For more information and admissions data, visit the UNC Wilmington profile University of Richmond University of Richmond. rpongsaj / Flickr Location: Richmond, Virginia Enrollment: 4,131 (3,326 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 16; strong study abroad program; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; well-regarded undergraduate business programs Explore the Campus: University of Richmond Photo Tour For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Richmond profile University of South Carolina University of South Carolina. Florencebballer / Wikimedia Commons Location: Columbia, South Carolina Enrollment: 34,099 (25,556 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Flagship campus of the South Carolina university system; 350 degree programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; nationally known and pioneering program for first-year students; member of the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the University of South Carolina profile University of Virginia University of Virginia. rpongsaj / Flickr Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Enrollment: 23,898 (16,331 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the top public universities; largest endowment of any public university; member of the Association of American Universities for research strengths; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference Explore the Campus: University of Virginia Photo Tour For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Virginia profile Virginia Military Institute Virginia Military Institute. Mrzubrow / Wikimedia Commons Location: Lexington, Virginia Enrollment: 1,713 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: public military college Distinctions: Oldest public military college in the U.S.; disciplined and demanding college environment; strong engineering programs; member of the NCAA Division I Big South Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Virginia Military Institute profile Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Campus. CipherSwarm / Flickr Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Enrollment: 33,170 (25,791 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university and senior military college Distinctions: One of the country's top public universities; one of the top engineering schools; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Virginia Tech profile Wake Forest University Wake Forest University Residence Hall. NCBrian / Flickr Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina Enrollment: 7,968 (4,955 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: One of the more selective universities with test-optional admissions; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; small classes and low student / faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Wake Forest University profile Washington and Lee University Washington and Lee University. wsuhonors / Flickr Location: Lexington, Virginia Enrollment: 2,160 (1,830 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the country's top liberal arts colleges; founded in 1746 and endowed by George Washington; attractive and historic campus; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; highly selective admissions For more information and admissions data, visit the Washington and Lee University profile Wofford College Wofford College Gibbs Stadium. Greenstrat / Wikimedia Commons Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina Enrollment: 1,683 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church Distinctions: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; campus is a designated National Historic District; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; competes in the NCAA Division I Southern Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Wofford College profile Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Grove, Allen. "Top Colleges and Universities in the Southeast." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/top-colleges-and-universities-in-southeast-788286. Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). Top Colleges and Universities in the Southeast. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/top-colleges-and-universities-in-southeast-788286 Grove, Allen. "Top Colleges and Universities in the Southeast." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/top-colleges-and-universities-in-southeast-788286 (accessed April 18, 2024). copy citation