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 Central Florida
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C
Orlando, FL

University of Central Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 68,346enrollment
  • $13,108net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1360SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Elmhurst College
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E
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,731enrollment
  • $24,108net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Berry College
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B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Louisville
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L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,017enrollment
  • $19,327net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Illinois at Springfield
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I
Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 4,198enrollment
  • $11,733net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 988-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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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

  • 13,876enrollment
  • $17,359net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Oklahoma State University Main Campus
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O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Washington State University
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W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 27,539enrollment
  • $17,911net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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University of Colorado Denver
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C
Denver, CO

University of Colorado Denver

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 23,744enrollment
  • $16,079net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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SUNY College at Plattsburgh
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P
Plattsburgh, NY

SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,474enrollment
  • $17,625net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Arizona State University
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A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 80,065enrollment
  • $14,808net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Christopher Newport University
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C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,559enrollment
  • $23,287net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Drew University
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D
Madison, NJ

Drew University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,092enrollment
  • $28,183net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Spelman College
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S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $37,085net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,688enrollment
  • $25,201net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Wentworth Institute of Technology
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W
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,920enrollment
  • $37,901net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Concordia University Wisconsin
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C
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 4,988enrollment
  • $24,485net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Meredith College
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M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,587enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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