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

Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $27,607net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 3,419enrollment
  • $18,080net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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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

  • 9,856enrollment
  • $18,378net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1300SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Ave Maria University
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A
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,310enrollment
  • $21,078net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Farmingdale State College
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F
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 9,314enrollment
  • $8,111net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1178SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $18,160net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1245SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Louisiana Tech University
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L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Louisiana

  • 10,839enrollment
  • $12,243net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,566enrollment
  • $32,801net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Longwood University
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L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,358enrollment
  • $21,772net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,667enrollment
  • $26,209net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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University of California Merced
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C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,934enrollment
  • $18,612net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,960enrollment
  • $22,431net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Minnesota State University Moorhead
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M
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 4,682enrollment
  • $17,939net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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University of Nevada Las Vegas
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N
Las Vegas, NV

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Nevada

  • 30,660enrollment
  • $13,159net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 9,257enrollment
  • $15,864net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,018enrollment
  • $22,283net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Our Lady of the Lake College
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O
Baton Rouge, LA
 

Our Lady of the Lake College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,228enrollment
  • $15,916net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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