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

Caldwell University
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C
Caldwell, NJ
 

Caldwell University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,028enrollment
  • $20,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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S
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 12,519enrollment
  • $13,586net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

#48 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 15,737enrollment
  • $25,802net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.36Avg 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

  • 27,943enrollment
  • $14,577net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Saint Francis University
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S
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,857enrollment
  • $27,459net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,616net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Mississippi College
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M
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Mississippi

  • 3,946enrollment
  • $20,874net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,105enrollment
  • $16,318net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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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

  • 9,237enrollment
  • $18,588net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1226-1430SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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Catawba College
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C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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St. Mary's University
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S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Robert Morris University
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R
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,431enrollment
  • $23,572net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,169enrollment
  • $23,303net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1218SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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The University of Findlay
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F
Findlay, OH

The University of Findlay

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,869enrollment
  • $24,069net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1213SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Maryville University of Saint Louis
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M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 9,959enrollment
  • $26,757net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Piedmont College
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P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,843enrollment
  • $18,792net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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