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

Asbury University
Connect Me
A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $21,375net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Webster University
Connect Me
W
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,606enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1233SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of Charleston
Connect Me
C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 11,729enrollment
  • $20,806net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Nova Southeastern University
Connect Me
N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 20,877enrollment
  • $32,756net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Ambrose University
Connect Me
S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,703enrollment
  • $23,578net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Connect Me
P
Johnstown, PA

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,940enrollment
  • $17,909net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1255SAT range
  • 19-32ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lincoln Memorial University
Connect Me
L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,805enrollment
  • $19,401net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gannon University
Connect Me
G
Erie, PA

Gannon University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,548enrollment
  • $23,942net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Missouri St Louis
Connect Me
M
Saint Louis, MO

University of Missouri St Louis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 14,800enrollment
  • $11,577net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College at Brockport
Connect Me
B
Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Brockport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,931enrollment
  • $15,343net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 2.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Pittsburgh Bradford
Connect Me
P
Bradford, PA

University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,003enrollment
  • $17,015net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas
Connect Me
A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 32,140enrollment
  • $17,475net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Suffolk University
Connect Me
S
Boston, MA

Suffolk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,697enrollment
  • $33,089net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lewis University
Connect Me
L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,636enrollment
  • $19,472net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Houghton College
Connect Me
H
Houghton, NY

Houghton College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $22,358net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1390SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Manhattanville College
Connect Me
M
Purchase, NY

Manhattanville College

Private 4 Year

25 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,379enrollment
  • $25,017net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Radford University
Connect Me
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,531enrollment
  • $18,282net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
La Salle University
Connect Me
L
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,554enrollment
  • $20,119net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1268SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best colleges by state: