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

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

  • 40,278enrollment
  • $9,731net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Western Connecticut State University
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W
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 4,137enrollment
  • $16,527net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.38Avg 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

#22 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,749enrollment
  • $14,877net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.1Avg 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

#16 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 5,057enrollment
  • $26,215net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1213SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of Northern Iowa
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N
Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 9,013enrollment
  • $15,931net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 860-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Gwynedd Mercy College
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G
Gwynedd Valley, PA
 

Gwynedd Mercy College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $26,733net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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Cabrini College
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C
Radnor, PA

Cabrini College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,048enrollment
  • $24,733net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1069-1257SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg 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

  • 3,667enrollment
  • $28,147net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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CUNY Lehman College
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L
Bronx, NY

CUNY Lehman College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 12,894enrollment
  • $4,076net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 860-1220SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

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Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
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P
West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,875enrollment
  • $31,103net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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Ball State University
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B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 20,440enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1250SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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University of St Francis
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S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,185enrollment
  • $16,455net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 900-1170SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 1,139enrollment
  • $27,337net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1220SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Millikin University
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M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,659enrollment
  • $10,078net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 860-1170SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,690enrollment
  • $24,863net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Viterbo University
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V
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,301enrollment
  • $23,901net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1380SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg 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

  • 3,649enrollment
  • $28,576net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 857-1226SAT range
  • 12-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Drury University
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D
Springfield, MO
 

Drury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $22,194net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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