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

Florida State University
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F
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Florida

  • 43,234enrollment
  • $14,903net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1390SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.7Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Lewis & Clark College
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L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,526enrollment
  • $38,247net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Butler University
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B
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,763enrollment
  • $40,140net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Bryant University
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B
Smithfield, RI

Bryant University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 3,592enrollment
  • $40,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Ursinus College
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U
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,492enrollment
  • $31,625net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Hofstra University
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H
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 10,393enrollment
  • $35,687net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1380SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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University of Vermont
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V
Burlington, VT

University of Vermont

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Vermont

  • 14,320enrollment
  • $22,062net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Dayton
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D
Dayton, OH

University of Dayton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 11,304enrollment
  • $31,551net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Missouri University of Science and Technology
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M
Rolla, MO

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 7,156enrollment
  • $14,414net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1378SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Saint John Fisher College
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S
Rochester, NY
 

Saint John Fisher College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,674enrollment
  • $28,969net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1280SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Indiana University Bloomington
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I
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 47,527enrollment
  • $16,282net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Columbia
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S
Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Columbia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 36,579enrollment
  • $26,068net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.69Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Rollins College
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R
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,013enrollment
  • $37,134net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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New York Institute of Technology
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N
Old Westbury, NY

New York Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,757enrollment
  • $23,074net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1390SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Samford University
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S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,791enrollment
  • $32,176net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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 Value Colleges in New Jersey

  • 13,007enrollment
  • $16,736net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1470SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Emerson College
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E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,670enrollment
  • $50,703net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1410SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 20

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,713enrollment
  • $9,133net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1290SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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