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

Widener University Main Campus
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W
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,610enrollment
  • $30,720net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Wilkes University
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W
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,198enrollment
  • $28,508net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1270SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Wisconsin Lutheran College
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W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,094enrollment
  • $22,809net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT 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

  • 4,503enrollment
  • $22,864net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Pace University New York
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P
New York, NY

Pace University New York

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $34,299net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1328SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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N
Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,925enrollment
  • $14,175net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 32,703enrollment
  • $19,838net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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S
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $20,243net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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SUNY at Fredonia
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F
Fredonia, NY

SUNY at Fredonia

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,220enrollment
  • $15,830net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg 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

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $27,236net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1066-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of Massachusetts Boston
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M
Boston, MA

University of Massachusetts Boston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 15,810enrollment
  • $17,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,993enrollment
  • $24,432net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1243SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Randolph Macon College
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R
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,523enrollment
  • $29,058net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Massachusetts Lowell
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M
Lowell, MA

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 16,770enrollment
  • $17,624net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Pacific Lutheran University
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P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $23,841net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 988-1258SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

#2 Best Value Colleges in Alabama

  • 21,160enrollment
  • $17,413net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1400SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 43,338enrollment
  • $21,511net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Concordia University Wisconsin
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C
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 5,063enrollment
  • $28,060net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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