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

Coe College
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C
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,278enrollment
  • $20,940net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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SUNY Maritime College
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S
Throggs Neck, NY

SUNY Maritime College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,350enrollment
  • $20,398net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1091-1285SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Albion College
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A
Albion, MI

Albion College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,354enrollment
  • $18,470net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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University of Nevada Reno
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N
Reno, NV

University of Nevada Reno

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in Nevada

  • 21,778enrollment
  • $16,801net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 7

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Carroll College
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C
Helena, MT

Carroll College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Montana

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $26,103net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 28

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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

#2 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 26,043enrollment
  • $18,291net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg 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

#1 Best Value in Alabama

  • 39,622enrollment
  • $21,761net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Stetson University
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S
DeLand, FL

Stetson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Florida

  • 3,669enrollment
  • $22,914net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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University of Michigan Dearborn
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M
Dearborn, MI

University of Michigan Dearborn

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 8,035enrollment
  • $12,798net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 990-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Pacific University
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P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,479enrollment
  • $34,809net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Simpson College
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S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,163enrollment
  • $23,637net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Emmanuel College
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E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $33,214net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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George Fox University
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G
Newberg, OR

George Fox University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 4,531enrollment
  • $30,649net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Transylvania University
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T
Lexington, KY

Transylvania University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,022enrollment
  • $25,634net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 22,139enrollment
  • $18,808net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Hartwick College
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H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,113enrollment
  • $26,818net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Florida Main Campus
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S
Tampa, FL

University of South Florida Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 48,572enrollment
  • $11,578net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Jacksonville University
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J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,957enrollment
  • $25,745net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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