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

SUNY Polytechnic Institute
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S
Utica, NY

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $14,646net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 24-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Saint Joseph's College New York
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S
Brooklyn, NY
 

Saint Joseph's College New York

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,050enrollment
  • $18,324net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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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

  • 4,083enrollment
  • $26,618net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Baldwin Wallace College
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B
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,308enrollment
  • $28,190net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1285SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Siena College
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S
Loudonville, NY

Siena College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#36 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,623enrollment
  • $32,602net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1093-1360SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,862enrollment
  • $37,558net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg 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

#25 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,247enrollment
  • $27,258net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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Whitworth University
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W
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,345enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Augustana College
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A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $24,695net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lebanon Valley College
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L
Annville, PA

Lebanon Valley College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,142enrollment
  • $28,640net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1093-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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Ramapo College of New Jersey
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R
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 5,521enrollment
  • $17,348net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1270SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Nebraska Lincoln
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N
Lincoln, NE

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $18,029net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1330SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Hamline University
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H
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,432enrollment
  • $22,759net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1146-1393SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Bethel University
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B
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,521enrollment
  • $30,375net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1240SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 11,070enrollment
  • $41,550net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

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University of Hartford
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H
West Hartford, CT

University of Hartford

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 5,913enrollment
  • $30,553net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Calvin University
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,364enrollment
  • $26,374net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1340SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

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Spelman College
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S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,633enrollment
  • $37,403net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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