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

Capital University
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C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,388enrollment
  • $22,480net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of California Merced
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C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,147enrollment
  • $13,232net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 12,268enrollment
  • $20,183net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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University of Minnesota Duluth
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M
Duluth, MN

University of Minnesota Duluth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 9,350enrollment
  • $19,542net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1128-1335SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Georgian Court University
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G
Lakewood, NJ

Georgian Court University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,910enrollment
  • $21,072net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1043-1251SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Westminster College
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W
New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,203enrollment
  • $21,089net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1258SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,095enrollment
  • $22,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 935-1205SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Franciscan University of Steubenville
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F
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,750enrollment
  • $24,490net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.78Avg 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

  • 9,883enrollment
  • $26,733net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Northwestern College
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N
Saint Paul, MN
 

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,262enrollment
  • $26,779net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 981-1293SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Idaho
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I
Moscow, ID

University of Idaho

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Idaho

  • 11,849enrollment
  • $14,377net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Spring Arbor University
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S
Spring Arbor, MI
 

Spring Arbor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,390enrollment
  • $21,720net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 935-1165SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg 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

  • 12,045enrollment
  • $15,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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College of Mount St. Joseph
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M
Cincinnati, OH
 

College of Mount St. Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,083enrollment
  • $15,887net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 880-1083SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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J
New York, NY

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,510enrollment
  • $4,141net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
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M
North Dartmouth, MA

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 7,759enrollment
  • $20,696net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Old Dominion University
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O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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