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

Pace University New York
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P
New York, NY

Pace University New York

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 13,609enrollment
  • $33,363net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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St John's University New York
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S
Queens, NY

St John's University New York

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 19,663enrollment
  • $26,052net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1310SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Cortland
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C
Cortland, NY

SUNY College at Cortland

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,690enrollment
  • $18,304net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1240SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Hamline University
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H
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,638enrollment
  • $23,021net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1258SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,275enrollment
  • $23,498net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,747enrollment
  • $23,359net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Andrews University
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A
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,858enrollment
  • $24,194net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1350SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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The University of Alabama
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A
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Alabama

  • 38,644enrollment
  • $20,592net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1410SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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N
Omaha, NE
 

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,146enrollment
  • $18,661net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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University of Massachusetts Lowell
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M
Lowell, MA

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 17,153enrollment
  • $17,240net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1348SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Dominican University of California
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D
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University of California

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,877enrollment
  • $49,907net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1236SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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University of Kentucky
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K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 31,547enrollment
  • $18,693net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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CUNY Queens College
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Q
Flushing, NY

CUNY Queens College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 17,001enrollment
  • $6,434net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1190SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Concordia College at Moorhead
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C
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College at Moorhead

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,903enrollment
  • $23,087net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1218SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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George Fox University
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G
Newberg, OR

George Fox University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 4,028enrollment
  • $28,840net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Simpson College
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S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,151enrollment
  • $23,185net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 41,155enrollment
  • $20,149net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Northern Iowa
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N
Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 8,945enrollment
  • $15,782net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1330SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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