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

Gordon College
Connect Me
G
Wenham, MA

Gordon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1168-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Meredith College
Connect Me
M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $23,405net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of New Hampshire Main Campus
Connect Me
N
Durham, NH

University of New Hampshire Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 13,626enrollment
  • $24,762net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Mary
Connect Me
M
Bismarck, ND

University of Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in North Dakota

  • 3,794enrollment
  • $19,225net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1096-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Roberts Wesleyan College
Connect Me
R
Rochester, NY
 

Roberts Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,619enrollment
  • $24,202net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 965-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

Compare Calculate my chances 
CUNY Queens College
Connect Me
Q
Flushing, NY

CUNY Queens College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 16,481enrollment
  • $5,339net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Central College
Connect Me
N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,856enrollment
  • $24,190net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1280SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wagner College
Connect Me
W
Staten Island, NY

Wagner College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,932enrollment
  • $28,109net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Iowa State University
Connect Me
I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 30,177enrollment
  • $17,354net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Mississippi
Connect Me
M
University, MS

University of Mississippi

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value in Mississippi

  • 24,043enrollment
  • $14,946net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Rhode Island
Connect Me
R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 17,351enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Agnes Scott College
Connect Me
A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,077enrollment
  • $25,609net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Connect Me
W
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,018enrollment
  • $35,585net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Salisbury University
Connect Me
S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,030enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1310SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Colorado State University Fort Collins
Connect Me
C
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 33,500enrollment
  • $19,828net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hanover College
Connect Me
H
Hanover, IN

Hanover College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,157enrollment
  • $22,929net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
California Lutheran University
Connect Me
C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $27,080net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1134-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marietta College
Connect Me
M
Marietta, OH

Marietta College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,171enrollment
  • $21,333net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1295SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best colleges by state: