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.


1,049 results nationwide

Lander University
L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#937 Best Value in America

  • 4,363enrollment
  • $14,657net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Limestone University
L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#938 Best Value in America

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Newberry College
N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#939 Best Value in America

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

North Greenville University
N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#940 Best Value in America

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,264net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

University of South Carolina Aiken
S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#941 Best Value in America

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of South Carolina Beaufort
S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#942 Best Value in America

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#943 Best Value in America

  • 10,829enrollment
  • $14,453net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

South Carolina State University
S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#944 Best Value in America

  • 3,041enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

University of South Carolina Upstate
S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#945 Best Value in America

  • 4,946enrollment
  • $13,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

Winthrop University
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#946 Best Value in America

  • 4,694enrollment
  • $16,838net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Black Hills State University
B
Spearfish, SD

Black Hills State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#947 Best Value in America

  • 3,475enrollment
  • $16,474net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1085SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.22Estimated Avg GPA

Dakota State University
D
Madison, SD

Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#948 Best Value in America

  • 3,508enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1340SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Mount Marty College
M
Yankton, SD
 

Mount Marty College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#949 Best Value in America

  • 1,314enrollment
  • $23,163net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 810-1050SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Northern State University
N
Aberdeen, SD
 

Northern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#950 Best Value in America

  • 3,521enrollment
  • $16,873net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#951 Best Value in America

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

Bethel University
B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#952 Best Value in America

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Carson Newman College
C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#953 Best Value in America

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

East Tennessee State University
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#954 Best Value in America

  • 13,586enrollment
  • $16,033net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA