2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Bryant University	3200	65.46	1,200 – 1,330	40612	66488	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Bryant University Smithfield, RI Located in Smithfield, Bryant University accepts 65% of applicants and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 3,200 Acceptance Rate 65.5% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $40,612 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $66,488
2	Virginia Military Institute	1527	71.25	1,110 – 1,330	17229	63545	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Abraham Lincoln called the Virginia Military Institute the “West Point of the South.” Located on the Maury River in the Shenandoah Valley, 562 athletes (the Keydets) compete in the NCAA Division I-FCS Big South Conference. Moe the Kangaroo cheers them on. Undergraduates 1,527 Acceptance Rate 71.3% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,229 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,545
3	High Point University	5006	76.83	1,110 – 1,310	43578	50955	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference High Point University High Point, NC Located in High Point, High Point University’s acceptance rate is 77%. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 89% of students at High Point University will receive institutional grant aid. At High Point University, there is a 81% first year retention rate and 65% of......Read more Undergraduates 5,006 Acceptance Rate 76.8% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $43,578 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,955
4	Robert Morris University	3769	90.57	1,080 – 1,280	26215	54449	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA Found in Moon Township, Robert Morris University’s acceptance rate is 91% and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 98% of students at Robert Morris University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 3,769 Acceptance Rate 90.6% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $26,215 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,449
5	Longwood University	3223	84.8	1,030 – 1,220	22900	46058	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Longwood University Farmville, VA Located in Farmville, Longwood University accepts 85% of applicants and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 96% of students at Longwood University currently receive institutional grant aid. They receive $6,114 on average. The first year retention rate is 76%....Read more Undergraduates 3,223 Acceptance Rate 84.8% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $22,900 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,058
6	University of North Carolina Asheville	3030	91.94	1,160 – 1,350	14175	36947	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Found in Asheville, the University of North Carolina Asheville accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 90% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 3,030 Acceptance Rate 91.9% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $14,175 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,947
7	Winthrop University	3969	79.25	1,020 – 1,240	16838	39048	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Located in Rock Hill, Winthrop University accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $300 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 83% of students at Winthrop University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college......Read more Undergraduates 3,969 Acceptance Rate 79.3% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,838 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,048
8	Radford University	6161	89.53	960 – 1,180	18282	44830	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Radford University Radford, VA Found in Radford, Radford University accepts 90% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. They are given $4,160 on average. The first year retention rate is 75%....Read more Undergraduates 6,161 Acceptance Rate 89.5% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $18,282 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,830
9	Gardner-Webb University	1840	87.02	980 – 1,190	24035	43996	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Located in Boiling Springs, Gardner-Webb University accepts 87% of applicants and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students at Gardner-Webb University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Gardner-Webb University, there is a 66% first year retention rate and a 36% four year......Read more Undergraduates 1,840 Acceptance Rate 87.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $24,035 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,996
10	University of South Carolina-Upstate	4478	81.32	960 – 1,170	13794	43339	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC Located in Spartanburg, the University of South Carolina-Upstate accepted 81% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $45 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 40% of students attending the University of South Carolina-Upstate currently receive grant aid from the school. 69% of......Read more Undergraduates 4,478 Acceptance Rate 81.3% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $13,794 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,339
11	Charleston Southern University	2914	76.09	1,000 – 1,140	21347	40606	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big South Conference Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC Found in Charleston, Charleston Southern University’s acceptance rate is 76%. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 97% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Charleston Southern University, there is a 66% first......Read more Undergraduates 2,914 Acceptance Rate 76.1% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $21,347 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,606