The Best Colleges

The Best Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2024 as the best overall college in America is Princeton University. The top rated public state college is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Public Private 4 year

1,040 results nationwide

Ithaca College
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I
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 5,054enrollment
  • $35,858net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1203-1380SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Georgia
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G
Athens, GA

University of Georgia

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Georgia

  • 40,607enrollment
  • $17,180net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Syracuse University
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S
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 22,698enrollment
  • $43,651net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Wheaton College
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W
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,885enrollment
  • $29,961net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Penn State Main Campus
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P
University Park, PA

Penn State Main Campus

Public 4 Year

11 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 50,028enrollment
  • $26,747net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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The New School
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N
New York, NY

The New School

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 10,108enrollment
  • $55,480net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.59Estimated Avg GPA

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Union University
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U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,731enrollment
  • $28,585net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Manhattan College
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M
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $29,535net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Saint Louis University Main Campus
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S
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Missouri

  • 15,755enrollment
  • $29,651net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

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Rochester Institute of Technology
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R
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,615enrollment
  • $39,600net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1450SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Quinnipiac University
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Q
Hamden, CT

Quinnipiac University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 8,788enrollment
  • $39,051net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Pratt Institute Main
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P
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 5,494enrollment
  • $47,326net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1430SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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The College of New Jersey
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N
Ewing, NJ

The College of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 7,629enrollment
  • $22,273net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.29Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Massachusetts Amherst
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M
Amherst, MA

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 32,229enrollment
  • $22,291net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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New Jersey Institute of Technology
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N
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,332enrollment
  • $17,762net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1450SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Rutgers University Camden
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R
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in New Jersey

  • 5,966enrollment
  • $14,151net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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University of St Thomas
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S
Saint Paul, MN

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 9,025enrollment
  • $30,137net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Wheaton College
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W
Norton, MA

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,667enrollment
  • $32,863net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1390SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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