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

University of Pittsburgh Bradford
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P
Bradford, PA

University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,505net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 980-1196SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Otterbein University
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O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,458enrollment
  • $22,661net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Capital University
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C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,617enrollment
  • $24,439net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 960-1186SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

  • 2,978enrollment
  • $22,663net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Toledo
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T
Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 15,545enrollment
  • $17,654net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,962enrollment
  • $18,187net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1043-1251SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.59Avg 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

  • 19,777enrollment
  • $12,615net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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W
La Crosse, WI

University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,274enrollment
  • $13,130net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Fitchburg State University
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F
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,554enrollment
  • $15,535net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,503enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Gordon College
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G
Wenham, MA

Gordon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,628enrollment
  • $24,483net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1086-1313SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Stockton University
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S
Galloway, NJ
 

Stockton University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,080enrollment
  • $18,515net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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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

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $25,704net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1311SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,255enrollment
  • $20,059net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Malone University
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M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,199enrollment
  • $21,571net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 943-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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William Paterson University of New Jersey
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W
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,070enrollment
  • $12,967net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1345SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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