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

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

  • 1,399enrollment
  • $27,700net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1315SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Webster University
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W
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 6,396enrollment
  • $23,069net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1026-1315SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Lewis University
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L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,513enrollment
  • $19,184net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1200SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Eckerd College
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E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,993enrollment
  • $40,119net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,615enrollment
  • $30,416net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Wittenberg University
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W
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,299enrollment
  • $22,912net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Detroit Mercy
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D
Detroit, MI

University of Detroit Mercy

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 5,360enrollment
  • $18,197net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1208SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

  • 1,144enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1133-1328SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Taylor University
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T
Upland, IN

Taylor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,221enrollment
  • $27,366net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 29,969enrollment
  • $15,310net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of New Hampshire Main Campus
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N
Durham, NH

University of New Hampshire Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 13,953enrollment
  • $24,507net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Pacific University
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P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,559enrollment
  • $33,472net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1350SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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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

  • 4,397enrollment
  • $37,964net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1270SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Ohio Wesleyan University
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O
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,410enrollment
  • $27,311net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1123-1358SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Salisbury University
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S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $19,756net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1320SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Messiah College
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M
Grantham, PA

Messiah College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,231enrollment
  • $24,120net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Colorado State University Fort Collins
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C
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 33,403enrollment
  • $16,926net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Northwest University
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N
Kirkland, WA

Northwest University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $23,722net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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