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

University of Maine at Farmington
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M
Farmington, ME
 

University of Maine at Farmington

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 1,837enrollment
  • $14,486net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 990-1245SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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College of Mount Saint Vincent
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M
Bronx, NY

College of Mount Saint Vincent

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,877enrollment
  • $17,084net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 943-1216SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.14Estimated Avg GPA

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Greenville University
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G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,088enrollment
  • $20,718net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 809-1209SAT range
  • 15-28ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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East Tennessee State University
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E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,483enrollment
  • $14,350net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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Seton Hill University
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S
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,988enrollment
  • $24,576net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $23,683net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1120SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg 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

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

  • 2,077enrollment
  • $21,728net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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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

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

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Benedictine College
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B
Atchison, KS
 

Benedictine College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 2,362enrollment
  • $30,067net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,884enrollment
  • $10,747net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of New Haven
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N
West Haven, CT

University of New Haven

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 8,819enrollment
  • $33,135net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.47Avg 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

#26 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,445enrollment
  • $13,812net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 940-1178SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.84Avg GPA

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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
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S
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,162enrollment
  • $21,462net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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