2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference

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The median SAT ranking is a measure of the overall academic performance of students on campus. It's important to note that students often feel most comfortable on campuses where their own academic performance is close to the average performance of other students. Students who fall either far above or below the median can sometimes feel out of place amongst their peers.

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Rank	Institution	Est. Median SAT	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	James Madison University	1260	71.51	1,180 – 1,340	26317	57438	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Found in Harrisonburg, James Madison University accepts 72% of applicants and requires $70 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 80% of students at James Madison University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 91% and 65% of students......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,260 0.8% Acceptance Rate 71.5% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $26,317 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,438
2	Old Dominion University	1205	90.36	1,120 – 1,290	16150	46732	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Found in Norfolk, Old Dominion University accepts 90% of applicants and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 75% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,205 0.4% Acceptance Rate 90.4% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $16,150 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,732
3	University of Southern Mississippi	1181	99.12	1,040 – 1,340	14050	37710	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Based in Hattiesburg, the University of Southern Mississippi accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $45 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 70% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,181 3.4% Acceptance Rate 99.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $14,050 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,710
4	Appalachian State University	1159	90.14	1,040 – 1,280	14712	43663	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Appalachian State University Boone, NC Found in Boone, Appalachian State University accepted 90% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $65 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 45% of students at Appalachian State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,159 2.2% Acceptance Rate 90.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $14,712 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,663
5	Coastal Carolina University	1145	75.27	1,060 – 1,230	14453	38070	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC Based in Conway, Coastal Carolina University’s acceptance rate is 75%. They request $45 for undergraduate applications and $45 for graduate applications. Approximately 58% of students attending Coastal Carolina University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Coastal Carolina......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,145 0.9% Acceptance Rate 75.3% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $14,453 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,070
6	University of Louisiana at Monroe	1140	74.56	1,050 – 1,230	11160	40430	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA Located in Monroe, the University of Louisiana at Monroe accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $20 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. Approximately 86% of students attending the University of Louisiana at Monroe currently receive institutional......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 74.6% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $11,160 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,430
7	University of South Alabama	1140	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	13613	41307	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Located in Mobile, the University of South Alabama’s acceptance rate is 71% and requests $45 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 90% of students attending the University of South Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,140 1.4% Acceptance Rate 71.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $13,613 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,307
8	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	1110	88.83	1,010 – 1,210	13443	42668	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA Found in Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 59% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 88.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $13,443 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,668
9	Texas State University	1100	89.08	990 – 1,210	15307	46716	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Texas State University San Marcos, TX Found in San Marcos, Texas State University accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications and $55 for graduate applications. About 41% of students attending Texas State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,100 0.5% Acceptance Rate 89.1% SAT Score 990 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,307 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,716
10	Troy University	1090	96.04	970 – 1,210	12504	39392	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Troy University Troy, AL Found in Troy, Troy University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 59% of students at Troy University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and 30% of students will graduate in......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 96.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,504 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,392
11	Georgia State University	1089	55.43	960 – 1,220	16390	37844	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Based in Atlanta, Georgia State University’s acceptance rate is 55%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 10% of students attending Georgia State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 77% and around 34%......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,089 1.4% Acceptance Rate 55.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $16,390 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,844
12	Arkansas State University	1075	79.59	970 – 1,180	13002	38944	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University accepts 80% of applicants. They request $30 for undergraduate applications. About 87% of students attending Arkansas State University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of students continued studying at Arkansas State University......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,075 3.6% Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,002 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,944
13	Georgia Southern University	1065	87.89	990 – 1,140	16957	44423	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Located in Statesboro, Georgia Southern University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 27% of students attending Georgia Southern University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 87.9% SAT Score 990 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $16,957 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,423
14	Marshall University	1065	95.72	960 – 1,170	9734	39561	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Sun Belt Conference Marshall University Huntington, WV Based in Huntington, Marshall University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 88% of students at Marshall University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,065 2.4% Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $9,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,561