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.


1,040 results nationwide

Florida State University
F
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Florida

  • 44,161enrollment
  • $14,003net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.7Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Indiana University Bloomington
I
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 47,005enrollment
  • $16,234net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Loyola University Maryland
L
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Maryland

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 5,238enrollment
  • $33,312net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1360SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Rollins College
R
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,029enrollment
  • $35,317net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Ramapo College of New Jersey
R
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 5,478enrollment
  • $16,262net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1295SAT range
  • 23-32ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Allegheny College
A
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,353enrollment
  • $26,719net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1114-1372SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Saint John Fisher College
S
Rochester, NY
 

Saint John Fisher College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,621enrollment
  • $28,312net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
O
Syracuse, NY

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,976enrollment
  • $20,928net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Lawrence University
L
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Wisconsin

  • 1,426enrollment
  • $26,368net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1460SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of South Carolina Columbia
S
Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Columbia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 35,653enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.69Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Rowan University
R
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 19,535enrollment
  • $20,963net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Butler University
B
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,525enrollment
  • $37,399net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Ohio Northern University
O
Ada, OH

Ohio Northern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,015enrollment
  • $27,398net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Duquesne University
D
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 8,107enrollment
  • $33,919net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Samford University
S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,682enrollment
  • $31,803net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Ursinus College
U
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $33,546net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Eastern Mennonite University
E
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,334enrollment
  • $23,783net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1590SAT range
  • 25-34ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Marquette University
M
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 11,167enrollment
  • $33,136net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1