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

Chaminade University of Honolulu
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C
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,602enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Michigan Flint
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M
Flint, MI

University of Michigan Flint

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 6,130enrollment
  • $12,344net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 950-1210SAT range
  • 17-29ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Montclair State University
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M
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 22,570enrollment
  • $13,880net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1225SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Oglethorpe University
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O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,522enrollment
  • $22,251net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1106-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Ferris State University
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F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 9,918enrollment
  • $13,154net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Penn State Altoona
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P
Altoona, PA
 

Penn State Altoona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,421enrollment
  • $22,506net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.4Estimated Avg GPA

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,624enrollment
  • $19,910net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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University of Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,447enrollment
  • $19,903net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Valley City State University
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V
Valley City, ND
 

Valley City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,754enrollment
  • $13,841net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Saint Cloud State University
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S
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 10,514enrollment
  • $14,648net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Dominican College of Blauvelt
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D
Orangeburg, NY
 

Dominican College of Blauvelt

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#54 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $23,907net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1235SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

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Fitchburg State University
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F
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,296enrollment
  • $15,820net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 5,990enrollment
  • $15,113net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Alvernia University
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A
Reading, PA

Alvernia University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,485enrollment
  • $26,166net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1066-1253SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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University of Lynchburg
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L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,592enrollment
  • $22,921net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Florida International University
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F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 53,953enrollment
  • $10,742net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $24,091net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 960-1191SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $17,424net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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