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

Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 8,796enrollment
  • $15,558net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Siena Heights University
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S
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,832enrollment
  • $17,740net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lasell College
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L
Newton, MA

Lasell College

Private 4 Year

18 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $28,477net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1260SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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North Greenville University
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N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,264net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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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

  • 22,700enrollment
  • $7,528net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
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S
Fort Wayne, IN
 

University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $20,897net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,195enrollment
  • $16,632net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Benedictine College
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B
Atchison, KS
 

Benedictine College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 2,465enrollment
  • $28,451net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1117-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of New Orleans
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N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,601enrollment
  • $11,190net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1320SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Centenary University
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C
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,453enrollment
  • $22,838net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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La Roche College
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L
Pittsburgh, PA
 

La Roche College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,618enrollment
  • $24,638net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1235SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 30,790enrollment
  • $9,839net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Virginia Wesleyan College
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V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $21,862net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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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

  • 9,830enrollment
  • $34,201net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Hastings College
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H
Hastings, NE
 

Hastings College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,821net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Lubbock Christian University
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L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,589enrollment
  • $25,351net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Keuka College
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K
Keuka Park, NY
 

Keuka College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#55 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $26,153net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1008-1183SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,372enrollment
  • $33,480net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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