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

Eastern Connecticut State University
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E
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 3,979enrollment
  • $21,205net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Mississippi State University
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M
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Mississippi

  • 22,657enrollment
  • $16,480net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1410SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Marymount Manhattan College
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M
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#45 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,648enrollment
  • $38,426net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The College of Idaho
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I
Caldwell, ID

The College of Idaho

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,076enrollment
  • $22,602net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,084enrollment
  • $25,850net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1318SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $27,925net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Kansas State University
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K
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kansas

  • 19,745enrollment
  • $18,745net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 25,497enrollment
  • $11,592net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

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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

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $28,311net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Texas Tech University
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T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,773enrollment
  • $16,773net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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Ouachita Baptist University
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O
Arkadelphia, AR

Ouachita Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,815enrollment
  • $22,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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University of St Thomas
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S
Houston, TX

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,813enrollment
  • $20,469net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 4,015enrollment
  • $21,503net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 820-1090SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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S
Chicago, IL

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,401enrollment
  • $55,485net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

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University of Illinois at Springfield
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I
Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 4,661enrollment
  • $9,241net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Concordia University Irvine
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C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,481enrollment
  • $29,413net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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William Jessup University
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W
Rocklin, CA
 

William Jessup University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,484enrollment
  • $28,171net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.33Avg 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

  • 46,676enrollment
  • $13,738net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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