2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Sun Belt 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	James Madison University	21112	71.51	1,180 – 1,340	26317	57438	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 21,112 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	Appalachian State University	19560	90.14	1,040 – 1,280	14712	43663	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 19,560 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
3	Coastal Carolina University	10811	75.27	1,060 – 1,230	14453	38070	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 10,811 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
4	Old Dominion University	17746	90.36	1,120 – 1,290	16150	46732	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 17,746 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
5	Arkansas State University	9985	79.59	970 – 1,180	13002	38944	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 9,985 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
6	Texas State University	36268	89.08	990 – 1,210	15307	46716	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 36,268 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
7	Georgia State University	27438	55.43	960 – 1,220	16390	37844	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 27,438 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
8	University of Southern Mississippi	10193	99.12	1,040 – 1,340	14050	37710	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 10,193 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
9	Marshall University	9165	95.72	960 – 1,170	9734	39561	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 9,165 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
10	University of Louisiana at Monroe	6550	74.56	1,050 – 1,230	11160	40430	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 6,550 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
11	University of South Alabama	9241	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	13613	41307	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 9,241 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
12	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	13179	88.83	1,010 – 1,210	13443	42668	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 13,179 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
13	Georgia Southern University	23618	87.89	990 – 1,140	16957	44423	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 23,618 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	Troy University	10222	96.04	970 – 1,210	12504	39392	#14 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – 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 Undergraduates 10,222 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