Big South Conference

Charleston Southern University's 300-acre campus sits on a former rice and indigo plantation. Historic Charleston and the Atlantic Ocean are nearby. Founded in 1964, Charleston Southern is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and the integration of faith with learning is central to the school's mission. The university has a 16 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and students can choose from over 30 Bachelor's degree programs (Business is most popular).

• Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
• School type: Private Baptist University
• Enrollment: 3,219 (2,771 undergraduates)
• Team: Buccaners
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Charleston Southern University profile

Founded in 1954, Coastal Carolina University has students from 46 states and 43 countries. CCU owns Waties Island, a 1,105-acre barrier island that is used for the study of marine science and wetland biology. Students can choose from 53 Bachelor's degree programs, and the school has a 17 to 1 student / faculty ratio. Business and psychology are the most popular undergraduate majors. The university has a wide range of student clubs and organizations including an active Greek system.

• Location: Conway, South Carolina
• School type: Private university
• Enrollment: 8,360 (7,920 undergraduates)
• Team: Chanticleers
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Coastal Carolina University profile.

From Gardner-Webb University's campus, Charlotte is about an hour away and the Blue Ridge Mountains are nearby. The school places high value on Christian principles. Gardner-Web has a 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 25. Students can choose from about 40 Bachelor degree programs; business and social sciences are most popular.

• Location: Boiling Springs, North Carolina
• School type: Private Baptist university
• Enrollment: 3,909 (2,679 undergraduates)
• Team: Runnin' Bulldogs
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Gardner-Webb University profile.

Founded in 1924, High Point University has in recent years undergone massive expansion with $300 million dedicated to campus construction and upgrades including residence halls that are more luxurious than those found at most colleges. Students come from over 40 states and 50 countries, and undergraduates can choose from 68 majors. Business Administration is by far the most popular field of study. High Point has a 14 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and most classes are small.

• Location: High Point, North Carolina
• School type: Private Methodist university
• Enrollment: 3,603 (3,277 undergraduates)
• Team: Panthers
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the High Point University profile.

Founded by Jerry Falwell and grounded in evangelical Christian values, Liberty University takes pride in being the world's largest Christian university. The university enrolls roughly 50,000 students online and has set a goal to increase that number significantly in the near future. Students come from all 50 states and 70 countries. Undergraduates can choose from 135 areas of study. Liberty has a 23 to 1 student / faculty ratio and all faculty are non-tenured. Liberty is not for everyone -- the Christ-centered school embraces political conservatism, prohibits alcohol and tobacco use, requires chapel three times weekly, and enforces a modest dress code and curfew.

• Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
• School type: Private Evangelical university
• Enrollment: about 12,000 residential students
• Team: Flames
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Liberty University profile.

Prebyterian College is one of the country's smallest Division I schools. Students come from 29 states and 7 countries. Students can expect a lot of personal attention -- the school has a 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 14. Students can choose from 34 majors, 47 minors, and 50 clubs and organizations. PC earns high marks for its value and ability to foster community service.

• Location: Clinton, South Carolina
• School type: Private Prebyterian liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 1,221 (all undergraduate)
• Team: Blue Hose
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Prebyterian College profile.

Established in 1910, Radford University's attractive red-brick Georgian-style campus is located southwest of Roanoke along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students come from 41 states and 50 countries. Radford has an 18 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and the average freshman class size is 30 students. Professional fields such as business, education, communications and nursing are among the most popular with undergraduates. Radford has an active Greek community with 28 fraternities and sororities.

• Location: Radford, Virginia
• School type: Public university
• Enrollment: 8,878 (7,773 undergraduates)
• Team: Highlanders
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Radford University profile.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville is the designated liberal arts college of the UNC system. The school's focus is almost entirely on undergraduate education, so students can expect more interaction with the faculty than at many large state universities. Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, UNCA provides an unusual mix of a small liberal arts college atmosphere with the low price tag of a state university.

• Location: Asheville, North Carolina
• School type: Public liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 3,897 (3,845 undergraduates)
• Team: Bulldogs
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the UNC Asheville profile.

Established in 1839, the Virginia Military Institute is the oldest public military college in the United States and one of the country's six Senior Military Colleges (with The Citadel, NGCSU, Norwich University, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech). VMI is not for everyone, and students should be ready for a disciplined and demanding college environment (new cadets are called "Rats"). Unlike students at the U.S. military academies, students at the Virginia Military Institute are not required to serve in the armed forces after graduation. VMI ranks highly among public undergraduate institutions, and the school's engineering programs are particularly strong..

• Location: Lexington, Virginia
• School type: Senior military college
• Enrollment: 1,500 (all undergraduate)
• Team: Keydets
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Virginia Military Institute profile.

Founded in 1886, Winthrop University has many buildings on the National Historic Register. The diverse student body comes from 42 states and 54 countries. Undergraduates can choose from 41 degree programs with business administration and art being the most popular. Winthrop has a 15 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 24. All classes are taught by the faculty.

• Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
• School type: Public university
• Enrollment: 6,241 (5,097 undergraduates)
• Team: Eagles
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Winthrop University profile.