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

West Virginia University
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W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,741enrollment
  • $12,202net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Benedictine University
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B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,123enrollment
  • $25,658net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Cardinal Stritch University
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C
Milwaukee, WI
 

Cardinal Stritch University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,332enrollment
  • $20,002net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 18-21ACT range
  • 3.18Avg 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

  • 29,551enrollment
  • $13,951net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Southern Adventist University
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S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,903enrollment
  • $24,332net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 980-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
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P
Johnstown, PA

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,043enrollment
  • $17,545net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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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

#3 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,104enrollment
  • $15,000net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Radford University
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R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Saint Thomas Aquinas College
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S
Sparkill, NY
 

Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,033enrollment
  • $21,745net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 920-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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North Dakota State University Main Campus
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N
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in North Dakota

  • 12,242enrollment
  • $15,962net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 968-1216SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Mercy College of Ohio
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M
Toledo, OH
 

Mercy College of Ohio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,261enrollment
  • $14,564net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 780-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Tennessee Technological University
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T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,902enrollment
  • $15,188net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 6,041enrollment
  • $16,564net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Gallaudet University
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G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,322enrollment
  • $13,787net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 752-1089SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Mount Saint Mary College
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M
Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,918enrollment
  • $23,439net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1225SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Saint Peter's University
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S
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peter's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in New Jersey

  • 3,430enrollment
  • $11,996net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Westfield State University
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W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,702enrollment
  • $18,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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MidAmerica Nazarene University
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M
Olathe, KS
 

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,508enrollment
  • $28,787net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 916-1118SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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