The Best Value Colleges

Best Value Colleges in America for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in the United States based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in America is Harvard University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $17,900 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
Public Private 4 year

1,049 results nationwide

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#613 Best Value in America

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#614 Best Value in America

  • 11,407enrollment
  • $28,596net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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California State University San Bernardino
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C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#615 Best Value in America

  • 18,925enrollment
  • $6,645net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#616 Best Value in America

  • 14,523enrollment
  • $15,187net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#617 Best Value in America

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $7,303net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#618 Best Value in America

  • 41,962enrollment
  • $6,283net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#619 Best Value in America

  • 25,080enrollment
  • $4,551net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 19

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California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#620 Best Value in America

  • 37,760enrollment
  • $8,222net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#621 Best Value in America

  • 31,172enrollment
  • $11,183net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#622 Best Value in America

  • 6,156enrollment
  • $13,837net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#623 Best Value in America

  • 1,611enrollment
  • $28,076net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Hope International University
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H
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#624 Best Value in America

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $30,514net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#625 Best Value in America

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#626 Best Value in America

  • 5,990enrollment
  • $15,113net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#627 Best Value in America

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,273net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#628 Best Value in America

  • 2,950enrollment
  • $13,800net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#629 Best Value in America

  • 11,213enrollment
  • $16,816net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Fort Lewis College
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F
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#630 Best Value in America

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $16,074net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Explore the best value schools by state: