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

Brigham Young University Hawaii
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B
Laie, HI

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $15,835net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1236SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Abilene Christian University
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A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 5,079enrollment
  • $28,978net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg 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

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $22,396net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 10-27ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Missouri St Louis
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M
Saint Louis, MO

University of Missouri St Louis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 15,181enrollment
  • $13,211net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Roanoke College
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R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,826enrollment
  • $29,169net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Saint Norbert College
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S
De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,882enrollment
  • $26,983net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Emmanuel College
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E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,012enrollment
  • $32,273net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Saint Bonaventure University
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S
Saint Bonaventure, NY

Saint Bonaventure University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,602enrollment
  • $26,004net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 30

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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

  • 49,600enrollment
  • $11,004net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,073enrollment
  • $25,686net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,281enrollment
  • $27,324net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Mount St Mary's University
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M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $24,379net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Alabama at Birmingham
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A
Birmingham, AL

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Alabama

  • 21,639enrollment
  • $16,834net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1410SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Utica College
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U
Utica, NY
 

Utica College

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,861enrollment
  • $22,372net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1084-1250SAT range
  • 23-32ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Manhattanville College
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M
Purchase, NY

Manhattanville College

Private 4 Year

25 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,240enrollment
  • $24,702net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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Lycoming College
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L
Williamsport, PA

Lycoming College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,059enrollment
  • $19,697net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1053-1238SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Eastern Connecticut State University
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E
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 4,082enrollment
  • $18,628net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 16-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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