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

Xavier University
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X
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 6,114enrollment
  • $31,619net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Saint Marys College of California
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S
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College of California

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,765enrollment
  • $32,129net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1253SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Kettering University
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K
Flint, MI

Kettering University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,769enrollment
  • $34,486net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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Truman State University
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T
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Missouri

  • 3,960enrollment
  • $13,993net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome
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S
Utica, NY

SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,842enrollment
  • $13,799net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Le Moyne College
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L
Syracuse, NY

Le Moyne College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,203enrollment
  • $23,309net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1290SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Knox College
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K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $26,882net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

  • 22,224enrollment
  • $18,274net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Moravian University
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M
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,533enrollment
  • $31,168net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1253SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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DeSales University
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D
Center Valley, PA

DeSales University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,991enrollment
  • $29,104net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Rider University
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R
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 4,054enrollment
  • $26,388net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Washington & Jefferson College
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W
Washington, PA

Washington & Jefferson College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,151enrollment
  • $25,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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University of Missouri Kansas City
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M
Kansas City, MO

University of Missouri Kansas City

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 15,703enrollment
  • $14,739net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1245-1550SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
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E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 3,162enrollment
  • $38,909net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Lake Forest College
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L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,753enrollment
  • $27,839net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1153-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Azusa Pacific University
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A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 7,169enrollment
  • $26,666net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Wagner College
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W
Staten Island, NY

Wagner College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,949enrollment
  • $29,710net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Seattle Pacific University
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S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 3,118enrollment
  • $26,549net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1350SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 11

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