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

Roanoke College
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R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Messiah College
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M
Grantham, PA

Messiah College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,344enrollment
  • $29,882net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1340SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $23,168net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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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

  • 14,651enrollment
  • $22,096net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Augsburg College
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A
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,161enrollment
  • $24,807net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1188-1376SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.27Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 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

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $49,440net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Saint Vincent College
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S
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,442enrollment
  • $23,857net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 993-1231SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
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F
Madison, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,778enrollment
  • $26,472net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 19-30ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,452enrollment
  • $23,826net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of La Verne
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L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,596enrollment
  • $27,216net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Presbyterian College
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P
Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $20,058net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 21

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University of Saint Joseph
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S
West Hartford, CT

University of Saint Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,939enrollment
  • $27,558net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Monmouth University
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M
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 4,981enrollment
  • $33,228net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1125-1270SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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College of Our Lady of the Elms
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O
Chicopee, MA

College of Our Lady of the Elms

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,332enrollment
  • $22,311net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Towson University
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T
Towson, MD

Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 19,527enrollment
  • $15,064net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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University of North Dakota
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N
Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 14,172enrollment
  • $18,227net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Eckerd College
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E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,986enrollment
  • $40,122net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1336SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Andrews University
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A
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,837enrollment
  • $24,874net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1370SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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