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

Western Michigan University
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W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 16,693enrollment
  • $20,183net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
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C
Fayette, MO
 

Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,017enrollment
  • $25,050net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1041-1138SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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St. Mary's University
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S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,411enrollment
  • $20,562net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Nebraska at Omaha
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N
Omaha, NE

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 15,015enrollment
  • $13,284net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,273net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Longwood University
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L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,545enrollment
  • $22,900net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $23,282net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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University of Connecticut Stamford
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C
Stamford, CT

University of Connecticut Stamford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 2,240enrollment
  • $13,150net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1230SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $26,429net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Lynn University
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L
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,501enrollment
  • $39,582net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1200SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,771enrollment
  • $24,962net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1205SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Bridgewater State University
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B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,550enrollment
  • $16,230net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Marywood University
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M
Scranton, PA

Marywood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#47 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,850enrollment
  • $24,712net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Trevecca Nazarene University
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T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $16,222net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 973-1193SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Mount Vernon Nazarene University
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M
Mount Vernon, OH
 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,845enrollment
  • $23,293net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 963-1228SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Penn State Berks
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P
Reading, PA

Penn State Berks

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,944enrollment
  • $22,450net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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Judson University
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J
Elgin, IL

Judson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $21,331net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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