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

Norwich University
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N
Northfield, VT

Norwich University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Vermont

  • 3,274enrollment
  • $28,196net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1320SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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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

  • 15,504enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Alabama at Huntsville
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A
Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 8,743enrollment
  • $19,847net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1440SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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Niagara University
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N
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#47 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,221enrollment
  • $17,495net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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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

  • 11,359enrollment
  • $16,131net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Iona College
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I
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,720enrollment
  • $28,557net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1265SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,308enrollment
  • $27,434net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,921enrollment
  • $15,668net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Mount Saint Mary College
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M
Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,588net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1255SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Oregon Institute of Technology
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O
Klamath Falls, OR
 

Oregon Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,103enrollment
  • $17,274net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 4

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Campbell University
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C
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 5,115enrollment
  • $24,517net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Ohio University Main Campus
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O
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 24,937enrollment
  • $20,550net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,275enrollment
  • $22,707net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Utah State University
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U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 28,063enrollment
  • $15,825net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Illinois State University
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I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,989enrollment
  • $20,871net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Saint Bonaventure University
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S
Saint Bonaventure, NY

Saint Bonaventure University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,603enrollment
  • $27,659net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 30

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University of Maine
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M
Orono, ME

University of Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 11,760enrollment
  • $18,237net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Mount Union
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M
Alliance, OH

University of Mount Union

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,169enrollment
  • $22,835net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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