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

Virginia Commonwealth University
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V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,238enrollment
  • $22,852net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Louisiana

  • 3,181enrollment
  • $17,874net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 953-1138SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Arcadia University
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A
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#34 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,142enrollment
  • $26,994net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1310SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.42Avg 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

#20 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,756enrollment
  • $16,923net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Curry College
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C
Milton, MA

Curry College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,994enrollment
  • $30,367net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Saint Edward's University
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S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,309enrollment
  • $28,351net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1235SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA

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Saint Francis University
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S
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,835enrollment
  • $27,421net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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Benedictine University
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B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,989enrollment
  • $24,570net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Long Island University C W Post Campus
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L
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,322enrollment
  • $22,620net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Plattsburgh
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P
Plattsburgh, NY

SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,417enrollment
  • $15,982net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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York College Pennsylvania
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Y
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#36 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,720enrollment
  • $21,036net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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William Carey University
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W
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 5,448enrollment
  • $17,192net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

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Immaculata University
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I
Immaculata, PA

Immaculata University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,407enrollment
  • $29,499net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $17,887net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 985-1191SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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The University of Tampa
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T
Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 11,054enrollment
  • $35,975net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Wittenberg University
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W
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,333enrollment
  • $21,457net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Caldwell University
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C
Caldwell, NJ
 

Caldwell University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,864enrollment
  • $23,071net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT 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

#38 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,932enrollment
  • $25,608net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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