10. Christopher Newport University
Location: Newport News, VA
Class of 2017 applications: 172
Located near beaches and the James River, the school was ranked 11th in U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the best regional universities in the South and 4th among top public schools. Tuition is $13,654 for 2017-18, and 4,930 students stroll through 260 acres of grounds.