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

Willamette University
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W
Salem, OR

Willamette University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Oregon

  • 2,112enrollment
  • $27,716net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Scranton
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S
Scranton, PA

University of Scranton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,825enrollment
  • $32,100net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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O
Syracuse, NY

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $19,644net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Regis University
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R
Denver, CO

Regis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Colorado

  • 4,631enrollment
  • $25,062net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Elizabethtown College
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E
Elizabethtown, PA
 

Elizabethtown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,152enrollment
  • $27,019net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Springfield College
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S
Springfield, MA

Springfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,785enrollment
  • $29,198net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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James Madison University
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J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,758enrollment
  • $26,317net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1320SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Biola University
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B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,296enrollment
  • $30,510net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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University of Minnesota Morris
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M
Morris, MN

University of Minnesota Morris

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,020enrollment
  • $9,539net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Mary Washington
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M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,808enrollment
  • $21,615net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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University of Maryland Baltimore County
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M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 14,148enrollment
  • $17,704net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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CUNY Brooklyn College
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B
Brooklyn, NY

CUNY Brooklyn College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,935enrollment
  • $4,105net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1420SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of California Riverside
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C
Riverside, CA

University of California Riverside

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,426enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Goucher College
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G
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,500enrollment
  • $28,749net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1366SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Concordia College at Moorhead
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C
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College at Moorhead

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,868enrollment
  • $25,488net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,047enrollment
  • $27,386net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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University of Arizona
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A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 53,001enrollment
  • $18,144net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Illinois Institute of Technology
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I
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 8,563enrollment
  • $25,001net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1410SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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