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

Penn State Harrisburg
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P
Middletown, PA

Penn State Harrisburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 4,651enrollment
  • $22,406net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.48Estimated Avg GPA

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William Paterson University of New Jersey
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W
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,426enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1345SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 21,253enrollment
  • $14,712net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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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

#3 Best Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,204enrollment
  • $15,239net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of North Florida
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N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,453enrollment
  • $10,628net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,005enrollment
  • $19,836net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1480SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Gallaudet University
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G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $15,025net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 750-933SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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CUNY York College
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Y
Jamaica, NY

CUNY York College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,161enrollment
  • $5,631net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Bridgewater College
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B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,436enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1375SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Gardner Webb University
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G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,125enrollment
  • $24,035net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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MidAmerica Nazarene University
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M
Olathe, KS
 

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,539enrollment
  • $29,992net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 928-1118SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Louisiana Tech University
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L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 11,427enrollment
  • $12,593net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Saint Martin's University
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S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,505enrollment
  • $22,779net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 14-22ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Hiram College
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H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,362net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Buffalo
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B
Buffalo, NY

SUNY College at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,470enrollment
  • $13,735net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.84Avg 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

#10 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 3,673enrollment
  • $14,486net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Holy Family University
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H
Philadelphia, PA
 

Holy Family University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#45 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,148enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.13Avg 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

  • 4,410enrollment
  • $18,231net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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