Looking for a great college that has it all—except for massive snowstorms? Then start exploring this list of private comprehensive Southern colleges and universities! At these schools, you’ll find extensive academic offerings, abundant undergraduate resources and research opportunities, easy pathways to grad school, and endless ways to get involved on campus and enjoy the warmer weather. If you’d like to receive more information from these colleges, just click the green “Connect me” button underneath each listing, and we’ll let them know you’re interested. Time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the college search!
Barton College
Barton College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Wilson, North Carolina—located just 45 miles east of Raleigh. Barton’s approximately 1,200 students benefit from over 40 undergraduate majors and several master's programs—including Nursing, Business Administration, and Education—as well as 24 NCAA Division II athletic teams. The College offers a "first-name basis" education that combines rigorous professional preparation with a supportive campus community, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for leadership and service in their chosen careers.
Belmont University
Belmont University is a private interdenominational Christian university with a 77-acre campus located in southeast Nashville, Tennessee. Home to more than 8,800 students from every state and more than 33 countries, the University offers over 130 undergraduate majors—including exciting programs in Biophysics, Emerging Media, and Music Technology—plus more than 25 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees. Students benefit from 160+ campus organizations, including sports clubs, Greek life, service-minded groups, faith development fellowships, several niche honor societies, and 17 NCAA Division I teams.
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University is a comprehensive Christian liberal arts institution in Dallas, Texas. The University offers its 4,300+ students more than 80 undergraduate majors to choose from and classes with a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. With 600+ international students on campus and a myriad of service and study abroad opportunities available, Dallas Baptist is truly a global university.
Florida Southern College
Florida Southern College, located in Lakeland, Florida, is a premier private comprehensive institution renowned for its stunning campus—a National Historic Landmark featuring the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. The College offers a robust academic experience centered on engaged learning, ensuring students connect classroom theory with real-world practice through guaranteed internships, study abroad opportunities, and faculty-led research. With strong programs in business, nursing, the arts, and sciences, FSC provides a personalized education within a vibrant community, all while being ideally situated between Tampa and Orlando.
High Point University
High Point University is a private comprehensive institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church on a 420-acre campus in High Point, North Carolina. Known as The Premier Life Skills University, HPU is rooted in the liberal arts and offers 63 majors and 65 minors for undergraduates. With experiential learning accounting for 25% of academic hours, students are educated both inside and outside the classroom through labs, studios, career shadowing, internships, research, study abroad, professional opportunities, and other real-world experiences.
Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University is a private church-affiliated university in southwest Houston, Texas. With approximately 2,400 undergraduates and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers more than 60 majors and 50+ student organizations. Named one of the most ethnically diverse Christian universities in the West, HCU also provides opportunities like the Honors College and collaboration with scholars and ministry leaders.
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian institution in Lynchburg, Virginia—nestled in the Blueridge Mountains. The University’s 48,900+ undergraduate students can choose from 700+ unique programs of study through 15 colleges and schools. Living on campus benefits undergrad students through resources and experiences such as the LaHaye Student Center and Ice Center, Campus East Clubhouse, multiple campus cafes, over 30 miles of bike trails, and more.
Mercer University
Mercer University is a private comprehensive research university with a 150-acre campus in Macon, Georgia—85 miles south of Atlanta. With 3,400+ traditional undergraduate students, the University offers more than 65 majors as well as pre-professional tracks for those interested in a graduate or professional program, plus Special Consideration Programs for admission to graduate school. Students can also get involved with 140 student organizations and activities, including student government, 18 men’s and women’s NCAA Division I teams, mission trips, and more.
Samford University
Samford University is a private university with a 247-acre campus in the suburban Homewood area of Birmingham, Alabama. With more than 5,600 students from 47 states and 28 countries, the University offers 180+ majors, minors, and concentrations through eight academic schools as well as fast-track programs that grant both bachelor’s and graduate degrees on accelerated schedules. Samford also boasts more than 160 organizations, including student clubs, campus recreation, honors programs, Greek life, and many other leadership opportunities and activities.
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private comprehensive Methodist university in Dallas, Texas. SMU offers more than 100 majors and 85+ minors through the College of Humanities and the Schools of Arts, Business Education & Human Development, and Engineering to 12,000+ students. Approximately 7,000 undergraduates benefit from small class sizes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, and international study.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is a private Baptist liberal arts university in Belton, Texas. The University offers 119 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate degree programs to more than 3,700 total students. With over 50 student clubs and organizations and a full calendar of athletic events, from dorm life to on- and off-campus ministries, life beyond the classroom is full and rich at UMHB.
The University of Tampa
The University of Tampa is a private comprehensive university on a 105-acre campus located in central Tampa, Florida. UT offers more than 200 areas of study to over 10,000 students from all 50 states and most of the world's countries, with nearly all programs direct admit and an Honors Program that provides extensive opportunities for instruction, research, seminars, and the chance to represent UT at the renowned University of Oxford for a semester. The University is just over an hour away from Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World, with even more attractions and some of the best beaches in the country nearby.
Looking for even more options in the warm, sunny region of the US? Check out all our featured Southern colleges and universities and request more info in just one click!
