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

Gannon University
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G
Erie, PA

Gannon University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,665enrollment
  • $22,200net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Houston
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 46,700enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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Southwestern College
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S
Winfield, KS
 

Southwestern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,174enrollment
  • $27,003net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1220SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Asbury University
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A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $21,506net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
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M
North Dartmouth, MA

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 7,457enrollment
  • $19,700net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1260SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Marymount University
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M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,711enrollment
  • $24,664net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas
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A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 30,936enrollment
  • $16,208net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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SUNY at Fredonia
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F
Fredonia, NY

SUNY at Fredonia

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,491enrollment
  • $15,795net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1300SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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King's College
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K
Wilkes-Barre, PA

King's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,993enrollment
  • $25,869net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Marymount Manhattan College
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M
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,608enrollment
  • $39,442net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Stetson University
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S
DeLand, FL

Stetson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,928enrollment
  • $25,756net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1305SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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Montana Tech of the University of Montana
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M
Butte, MT
 

Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,625enrollment
  • $16,045net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
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O
Alfred, NY

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,348enrollment
  • $17,262net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Hampton University
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H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $32,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 840-1220SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Western Connecticut State University
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W
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 4,417enrollment
  • $15,862net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,107enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Oswego
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O
Oswego, NY

SUNY College at Oswego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,906enrollment
  • $17,376net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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