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

The College of Saint Rose
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S
Albany, NY
 

The College of Saint Rose

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,786enrollment
  • $23,294net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1001-1228SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Madonna University
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M
Livonia, MI

Madonna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,109enrollment
  • $18,344net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Western Illinois University
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W
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 7,643enrollment
  • $11,213net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg 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

#23 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,921enrollment
  • $5,001net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1160SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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St. Francis College
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S
Brooklyn Heights, NY

St. Francis College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,661enrollment
  • $18,602net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Wayne State University
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W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,630enrollment
  • $15,347net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 21,648enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Penn State Altoona
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P
Altoona, PA
 

Penn State Altoona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,577enrollment
  • $20,621net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.4Estimated Avg GPA

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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

  • 11,507enrollment
  • $14,954net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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University of Lynchburg
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L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,394enrollment
  • $23,256net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Marywood University
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M
Scranton, PA

Marywood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,729enrollment
  • $22,504net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1200SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Converse College
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C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $19,653net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1235SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,032enrollment
  • $15,255net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Montana State University
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M
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Montana

  • 16,681enrollment
  • $17,250net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Curry College
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C
Milton, MA

Curry College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,052enrollment
  • $31,091net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1165SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Huntington University
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H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $20,066net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,660enrollment
  • $19,029net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,436enrollment
  • $13,084net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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