2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference

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Colleges and universities with a higher level of geographical diversity have students who come from a wider variety of places. Students who are planning to attend colleges outside of their local area may want to find a campus with higher geographical diversity.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Furman University	2383	42.95	1,290 – 1,430	34086	50796	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference Furman University Greenville, SC Furman University is the oldest private institution of higher learning in South Carolina. 91% of students stay on after they complete their first year, and many major in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. 381 Paladins compete in the Southern Conference. Furman also offers athletic scholarships, averaging $34,775 each. Undergraduates 2,383 Acceptance Rate 43.0% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $34,086 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,796
2	Samford University	4210	82.36	1,100 – 1,300	34926	49466	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference Samford University Birmingham, AL Founded in 1841, Samford University was originally was called Howard College and was converted to a military hospital during the Civil War. Today the school has a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio and 93% first year retention rate....Read more Undergraduates 4,210 Acceptance Rate 82.4% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $34,926 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,466
3	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	2737	22.72	1,100 – 1,290	22124	60168	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC The Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a senior military college that got its start as an arsenal in 1822. It became an academy in 1843 and some of its buildings were burned during the Civil War. The Citadel awards up to Post-master's certificates, and many students are studying Business/Commerce, General. Undergraduates 2,737 Acceptance Rate 22.7% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $22,124 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,168
4	Wofford College	1817	51.94	1,240 – 1,370	30481	52076	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference Wofford College Spartanburg, SC Wofford College has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and an impressive 91% first year retention rate. Many students receive institutional grants – 97% – averaging $36,914 each. Biology/Biological Sciences, General is a top undergraduate area of study. Undergraduates 1,817 Acceptance Rate 51.9% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $30,481 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,076
5	Virginia Military Institute	1527	71.25	1,110 – 1,330	18825	63545	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern 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 Southern Conference. Moe the Kangaroo cheers them on. Undergraduates 1,527 Acceptance Rate 71.3% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $18,825 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,545
6	East Tennessee State University	10829	86.19	1,010 – 1,240	16286	38704	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Found in Johnson City, East Tennessee State University accepts 86% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $25 to apply. Approximately 53% of students at East Tennessee State University will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 76%....Read more Undergraduates 10,829 Acceptance Rate 86.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,286 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,704
7	Western Carolina University	10112	81.83	1,030 – 1,230	13767	43085	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Based in Cullowhee, Western Carolina University’s acceptance rate is 82%. They request $65 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 78% of students attending Western Carolina University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 10,112 Acceptance Rate 81.8% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $13,767 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,085
8	Mercer University	4690	68.89	1,180 – 1,370	24364	50231	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference Mercer University Macon, GA Based in Macon, Mercer University accepts 69% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 100% of students at Mercer University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 4,690 Acceptance Rate 68.9% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,364 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,231
9	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga	10202	81.09	1,040 – 1,240	15347	42209	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Located in Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga accepts 81% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 58% of students attending The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Undergraduates 10,202 Acceptance Rate 81.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $15,347 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,209
10	University of North Carolina at Greensboro	14416	88.51	1,120 – 1,300	11404	39869	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Diversity (Geography) – Southern Conference University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Based in Greensboro, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 83% of students attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro will receive institutional grant aid. At the......Read more Undergraduates 14,416 Acceptance Rate 88.5% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $11,404 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,869