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

Maryland Institute College of Art
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M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,861enrollment
  • $43,066net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 915-1220SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Chatham University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,319enrollment
  • $29,051net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Drew University
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D
Madison, NJ

Drew University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,226enrollment
  • $28,193net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Citadel Military College of South Carolina
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C
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,727enrollment
  • $21,041net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1250SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Endicott College
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E
Beverly, MA

Endicott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,254enrollment
  • $39,988net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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LeTourneau University
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L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,389enrollment
  • $27,007net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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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

  • 5,374enrollment
  • $27,047net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Augustana University
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A
Sioux Falls, SD

Augustana University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in South Dakota

  • 2,158enrollment
  • $25,280net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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Massachusetts Maritime Academy
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M
Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 1,362enrollment
  • $20,759net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1185SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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University of Wyoming
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W
Laramie, WY

University of Wyoming

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Wyoming

  • 10,913enrollment
  • $13,299net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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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

  • 3,328enrollment
  • $36,846net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1165-1340SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Roger Williams University
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R
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,344enrollment
  • $37,936net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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San Diego State University
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S
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 39,241enrollment
  • $19,500net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Evansville
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E
Evansville, IN

University of Evansville

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,109enrollment
  • $21,611net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Hendrix College
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H
Conway, AR

Hendrix College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,107enrollment
  • $24,236net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1385SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 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

  • 23,786enrollment
  • $23,917net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Mount St Mary's University
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M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,499enrollment
  • $25,298net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Saint Michael's College
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S
Colchester, VT

Saint Michael's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

  • 1,370enrollment
  • $30,806net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1310SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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