The Best Colleges

The Best Colleges in America for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 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

1,049 results nationwide

Austin College
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A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $24,777net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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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

  • 7,652enrollment
  • $22,379net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.29Estimated Avg 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

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Georgia

  • 41,615enrollment
  • $16,303net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1390SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Baylor University
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B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,824enrollment
  • $49,727net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Saint Mary's College
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S
Notre Dame, IN

Saint Mary's College

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,518enrollment
  • $30,389net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg 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

  • 9,434enrollment
  • $62,226net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.59Estimated Avg GPA

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Gonzaga University
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G
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,306enrollment
  • $40,295net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Ithaca College
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I
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,828enrollment
  • $34,297net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1370SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 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

  • 50,399enrollment
  • $27,450net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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University of the Pacific
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T
Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,755enrollment
  • $30,975net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

  • 2,674enrollment
  • $27,191net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1340SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
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M
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,321enrollment
  • $37,182net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1340SAT range
  • 23-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Virginia Military Institute
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V
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,560enrollment
  • $17,229net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg 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

  • 31,810enrollment
  • $22,954net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg 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

#19 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,778enrollment
  • $31,638net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1420SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Allegheny College
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A
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,231enrollment
  • $27,929net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Pratt Institute Main
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P
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 5,232enrollment
  • $51,702net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1420SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Bard College
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B
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,922enrollment
  • $25,218net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1440SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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