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

Shenandoah University
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S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,343enrollment
  • $26,400net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Malone University
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M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,205enrollment
  • $23,362net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1236SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Mississippi College
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M
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 4,087enrollment
  • $21,135net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

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Montana Tech of the University of Montana
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M
Butte, MT
 

Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,622enrollment
  • $15,866net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Farmingdale State College
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F
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 9,541enrollment
  • $8,224net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Winona State University
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W
Winona, MN

Winona State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 6,058enrollment
  • $18,919net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 980-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Waynesburg University
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W
Waynesburg, PA

Waynesburg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,315enrollment
  • $22,837net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Carroll University
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C
Waukesha, WI
 

Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 3,176enrollment
  • $25,171net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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Bay Path University
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B
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,643enrollment
  • $14,935net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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W
West Chester, PA

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 17,076enrollment
  • $21,684net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,201enrollment
  • $30,275net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1217SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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West Virginia University
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W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,200enrollment
  • $13,691net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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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

  • 9,678enrollment
  • $14,043net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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D'Youville College
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D
Buffalo, NY

D'Youville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,544enrollment
  • $20,268net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 885-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Otterbein University
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O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,357enrollment
  • $22,242net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Penn State Erie Behrend College
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P
Erie, PA

Penn State Erie Behrend College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 3,323enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.49Estimated Avg GPA

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Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,861enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The College of Saint Rose
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S
Albany, NY
 

The College of Saint Rose

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,538enrollment
  • $24,618net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1001-1228SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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