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

Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $23,321net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 978-1235SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Emory and Henry College
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E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $21,714net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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South Dakota State University
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S
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 11,498enrollment
  • $18,233net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Wayne State University
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W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,553enrollment
  • $16,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Ashland University
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A
Ashland, OH
 

Ashland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,143enrollment
  • $21,971net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1255SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Framingham State University
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F
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,028enrollment
  • $16,640net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1255SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Cedar Crest College
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C
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,248enrollment
  • $23,036net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg 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

  • 10,117enrollment
  • $15,138net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg 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

  • 1,150enrollment
  • $15,705net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Huntington University
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H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,504enrollment
  • $21,149net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 26,785enrollment
  • $14,470net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,043enrollment
  • $17,068net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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Anderson University
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A
Anderson, IN

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,255enrollment
  • $21,914net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg 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

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,848enrollment
  • $11,898net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

  • 11,952enrollment
  • $16,461net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 968-1216SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 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

  • 3,154enrollment
  • $25,374net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 970-1270SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,075enrollment
  • $25,200net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Westfield State University
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W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,555enrollment
  • $17,723net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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