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

Davidson College
Connect Me
D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,927enrollment
  • $26,704net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

Compare Calculate my chances 
New York University
Connect Me
N
New York, NY

New York University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 59,144enrollment
  • $29,499net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carleton College
Connect Me
C
Northfield, MN

Carleton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Minnesota

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $31,494net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Swarthmore College
Connect Me
S
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,625enrollment
  • $20,715net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1560SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carnegie Mellon University
Connect Me
C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 16,002enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Richmond
Connect Me
R
University of Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,876enrollment
  • $29,248net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1398-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bates College
Connect Me
B
Lewiston, ME

Bates College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Maine

  • 1,790enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1520SAT range
  • 32-33ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Colby College
Connect Me
C
Waterville, ME

Colby College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,299enrollment
  • $16,951net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Boston College
Connect Me
B
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 15,287enrollment
  • $30,559net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1435-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Trinity College
Connect Me
T
Hartford, CT

Trinity College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Connecticut

  • 2,205enrollment
  • $32,704net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 17

Compare Calculate my chances 
Vassar College
Connect Me
V
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,459enrollment
  • $30,603net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1535SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Scripps College
Connect Me
S
Claremont, CA

Scripps College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,099enrollment
  • $43,923net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Case Western Reserve University
Connect Me
C
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 12,201enrollment
  • $38,279net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1540SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Michigan
Connect Me
M
Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,225enrollment
  • $19,318net price
  • 18%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Skidmore College
Connect Me
S
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $33,389net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Yeshiva University
Connect Me
Y
New York, NY

Yeshiva University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,056enrollment
  • $35,912net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Rochester
Connect Me
R
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 12,197enrollment
  • $39,775net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lehigh University
Connect Me
L
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,394enrollment
  • $30,453net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best colleges by state: