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

Auburn University
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A
Auburn University, AL

Auburn University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 31,764enrollment
  • $25,271net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Champlain College
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C
Burlington, VT

Champlain College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Vermont

  • 3,543enrollment
  • $35,133net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1163-1348SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Siena College
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S
Loudonville, NY

Siena College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,648enrollment
  • $30,842net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1270SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,301enrollment
  • $38,983net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

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Pacific Lutheran University
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P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,633enrollment
  • $24,825net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1253-1423SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Cedarville University
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C
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,960enrollment
  • $25,462net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1380SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,958enrollment
  • $22,755net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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University of Evansville
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E
Evansville, IN

University of Evansville

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,017enrollment
  • $19,301net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Gwynedd Mercy College
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G
Gwynedd Valley, PA
 

Gwynedd Mercy College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,091enrollment
  • $28,122net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1235SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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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

  • 1,068enrollment
  • $11,169net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,910enrollment
  • $36,225net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Howard University
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H
HBCU
Washington, DC

Howard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 12,886enrollment
  • $28,279net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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SUNY at Purchase College
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P
Purchase, NY

SUNY at Purchase College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,182enrollment
  • $19,434net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1350SAT range
  • 29-31ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Susquehanna University
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S
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,231enrollment
  • $28,605net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1280SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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CUNY Brooklyn College
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B
Brooklyn, NY

CUNY Brooklyn College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 14,195enrollment
  • $5,972net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1180SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Hartford
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H
West Hartford, CT

University of Hartford

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 5,732enrollment
  • $31,687net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Monmouth University
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M
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 5,027enrollment
  • $31,416net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1300SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Oregon
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O
Eugene, OR

University of Oregon

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 23,163enrollment
  • $22,077net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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