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

Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,748enrollment
  • $32,204net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1068-1280SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 6

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University of Pittsburgh Greensburg
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P
Greensburg, PA

University of Pittsburgh Greensburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,326enrollment
  • $17,196net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1275SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Guilford College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $22,620net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg 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

  • 31,094enrollment
  • $11,388net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Montevallo
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M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 2,942enrollment
  • $17,280net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 11,213enrollment
  • $16,816net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Delaware Valley University
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D
Doylestown, PA

Delaware Valley University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,189enrollment
  • $28,401net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 24-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $20,990net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1188SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Dickinson State University
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D
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,453enrollment
  • $15,490net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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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

  • 16,960enrollment
  • $18,511net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Catawba College
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C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,241enrollment
  • $18,319net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1186SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,523enrollment
  • $15,187net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,611enrollment
  • $28,076net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Minot State University
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M
Minot, ND

Minot State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 2,741enrollment
  • $12,349net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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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

  • 7,073enrollment
  • $12,168net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Baker University
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B
Baldwin City, KS

Baker University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $23,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 970-1130SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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University of Louisiana Monroe
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L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,272enrollment
  • $11,160net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1350SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Middle Tennessee State University
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M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,183enrollment
  • $12,700net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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