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

Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 22,269enrollment
  • $17,995net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Ave Maria University
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A
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,335enrollment
  • $23,515net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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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

  • 14,939enrollment
  • $17,927net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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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

  • 8,788enrollment
  • $19,752net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
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W
Eau Claire, WI

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 9,991enrollment
  • $15,323net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Robert Morris University
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R
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,737enrollment
  • $26,215net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Worcester State University
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W
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 5,611enrollment
  • $14,307net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1008-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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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

#3 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,299enrollment
  • $13,125net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Texas Lutheran University
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T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,361enrollment
  • $23,600net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Tuskegee University
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T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $35,126net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 995-1255SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Oklahoma Baptist University
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O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 1,526enrollment
  • $25,099net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Northwest Nazarene University
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N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,774enrollment
  • $27,291net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

  • 36,062enrollment
  • $13,833net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Saint Thomas Aquinas College
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S
Sparkill, NY
 

Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,950enrollment
  • $21,257net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 920-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,424enrollment
  • $16,969net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 934-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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University of Nebraska at Kearney
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N
Kearney, NE

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 6,017enrollment
  • $16,249net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Walsh University
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W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,160enrollment
  • $21,009net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1056-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Dakota
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S
Vermillion, SD

University of South Dakota

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in South Dakota

  • 9,868enrollment
  • $18,466net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1330SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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