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

University of Rhode Island
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R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $20,695net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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S
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $21,124net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1378SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Oregon State University
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O
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 34,292enrollment
  • $21,163net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Widener University Main Campus
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W
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,416enrollment
  • $32,185net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Augsburg College
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A
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,088enrollment
  • $25,409net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1188-1376SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.27Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Institute of Technology
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F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 8,315enrollment
  • $30,752net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Louisiana State University
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L
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Value in Louisiana

  • 37,348enrollment
  • $21,296net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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D'Youville College
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D
Buffalo, NY

D'Youville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,518enrollment
  • $21,755net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1025-1265SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Agnes Scott College
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A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,114enrollment
  • $24,305net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Otis College of Art and Design
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $48,198net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
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F
Orlando, FL

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $27,329net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1140SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Western New England University
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W
Springfield, MA

Western New England University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,430enrollment
  • $30,214net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,536enrollment
  • $26,974net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1380SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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SUNY Maritime College
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S
Throggs Neck, NY

SUNY Maritime College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,427enrollment
  • $19,712net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1300SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,970enrollment
  • $22,813net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Canisius College
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C
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $19,635net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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N
Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,843enrollment
  • $18,709net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1370SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Western Washington University
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W
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 14,747enrollment
  • $21,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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