2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference

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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	Anderson University	3405	54.71	1,110 – 1,310	22222	42073	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Anderson University Anderson, SC A member of the South Atlantic Conference, Anderson University added a football team, starting in the 2024 season. Other popular sports include Baseball, Lacrosse, and Soccer....Read more Undergraduates 3,405 Acceptance Rate 54.7% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,222 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,073
2	Catawba College	1263	75.21	960 – 1,240	18319	36912	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Catawba College Salisbury, NC Undergraduates 1,263 Acceptance Rate 75.2% SAT Score 960 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $18,319 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,912
3	Carson-Newman University	1606	90.45	1,010 – 1,210	19755	39324	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Undergraduates 1,606 Acceptance Rate 90.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,755 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,324
4	Wingate University	2673	91.13	990 – 1,210	21464	43992	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Wingate University Wingate, NC Based in Wingate, Wingate University accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 97% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 2,673 Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 990 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $21,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,992
5	Lincoln Memorial University	1668	62.6	980 – 1,190	19401	45242	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Based in Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University’s acceptance rate is 63% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 69% of students continued studying at Lincoln Memorial University......Read more Undergraduates 1,668 Acceptance Rate 62.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $19,401 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,242
6	Emory & Henry University	1107	96.33	970 – 1,170	21714	39448	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Emory & Henry University Emory, VA Found in Emory, Emory & Henry University accepts 96% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 97% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 1,107 Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $21,714 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,448
7	Lenoir-Rhyne University	1477	80.68	970 – 1,180	24042	44799	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC Located in Hickory, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s acceptance rate is 81%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Lenoir-Rhyne University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 1,477 Acceptance Rate 80.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $24,042 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,799
8	Barton College	1149	94.2	950 – 1,150	23804	40785	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Barton College Wilson, NC Found in Wilson, Barton College’s acceptance rate is 94%. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 65% and around 44% of students will graduate in four years or less. Three popular areas of study among......Read more Undergraduates 1,149 Acceptance Rate 94.2% SAT Score 950 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $23,804 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,785
9	Newberry College	1462	74.8	910 – 1,100	20941	38983	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Newberry College Newberry, SC Based in Newberry, Newberry College accepts 75% of applicants. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students at Newberry College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 1,462 Acceptance Rate 74.8% SAT Score 910 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $20,941 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,983
10	University of Virginia's College at Wise	1911	93.92	950 – 1,180	10409	39725	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, VA Found in Wise, the University of Virginia's College at Wise accepted 94% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. About 93% of students attending the University of Virginia's College at Wise will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year......Read more Undergraduates 1,911 Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $10,409 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,725
11	Coker University	1187	97.23	930 – 1,080	18910	36650	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Coker University Hartsville, SC Coker University was originally a high school when it opened in 1894. It was converted to the Coker College for Women in 1908 and became a university in 2019. Competing in the NCAA Division II without football South Atlantic Conference, the Cobras wear navy blue, light blue, and gold....Read more Undergraduates 1,187 Acceptance Rate 97.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $18,910 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,650
12	Mars Hill University	1062	68.22	1,000 – 1,200	19842	35680	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC Found in Mars Hill, Mars Hill University accepted 68% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 97% of students attending Mars Hill University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 1,062 Acceptance Rate 68.2% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $19,842 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,680
13	Tusculum University	1022	60.42	930 – 1,140	22961	39925	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – South Atlantic Conference Tusculum University Greeneville, TN Found in Greeneville, Tusculum University’s acceptance rate is 60%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 1,022 Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $22,961 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,925