2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Sun Belt Conference

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The selectivity index is a rating system that looks at overall acceptance rate divided by the percentage of accepted students who enroll (yield rate). It's a measurement of both the selectivity and desirability of the college or university.

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Rank	Institution	Selectivity Index	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Georgia State University	0.3866	55.43	960 – 1,220	16390	37844	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.4 17.8% 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
2	University of Louisiana at Monroe	0.3762	74.56	1,050 – 1,230	11160	40430	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.4 19.5% 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
3	Texas State University	0.336	89.08	990 – 1,210	15307	46716	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.3 14.7% 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
4	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	0.3283	88.83	1,010 – 1,210	13443	42668	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.3 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
5	Georgia Southern University	0.3113	87.89	990 – 1,140	16957	44423	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.3 21.7% 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
6	University of South Alabama	0.2927	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	13613	41307	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.3 16.7% 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
7	Marshall University	0.2911	95.72	960 – 1,170	9734	39561	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.3 2.5% 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
8	James Madison University	0.2537	71.51	1,180 – 1,340	26317	57438	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.3 7.3% 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
9	University of Southern Mississippi	0.2445	99.12	1,040 – 1,340	14050	37710	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.2 25.6% 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
10	Arkansas State University	0.2282	79.59	970 – 1,180	13002	38944	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.2 53.8% 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
11	Coastal Carolina University	0.2243	75.27	1,060 – 1,230	14453	38070	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.2 5.1% 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
12	Old Dominion University	0.2155	90.36	1,120 – 1,290	16150	46732	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.2 0.7% 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
13	Appalachian State University	0.2011	90.14	1,040 – 1,280	14712	43663	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.2 111.5% 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
14	Troy University	0.1888	96.04	970 – 1,210	12504	39392	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – 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 Selectivity Index 0.2 11.0% 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