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

Texas State University
Connect Me
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Methodist University
Connect Me
M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,811enrollment
  • $28,129net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1063-1200SAT range
  • 23-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Murray State University
Connect Me
M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 9,479enrollment
  • $11,042net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 965-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Connect Me
S
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 8,221enrollment
  • $17,873net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Connect Me
N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,978enrollment
  • $10,979net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern Illinois University
Connect Me
E
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 8,857enrollment
  • $13,380net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Carolina University
Connect Me
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bridgewater State University
Connect Me
B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,604enrollment
  • $17,225net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sonoma State University
Connect Me
S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bridgewater College
Connect Me
B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $19,332net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Frostburg State University
Connect Me
F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,067enrollment
  • $16,114net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Pittsburgh Greensburg
Connect Me
P
Greensburg, PA

University of Pittsburgh Greensburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,328enrollment
  • $18,194net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1275SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Holy Family University
Connect Me
H
Philadelphia, PA
 

Holy Family University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#47 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,912enrollment
  • $12,379net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 852-1092SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern University
Connect Me
E
Saint Davids, PA
 

Eastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,769enrollment
  • $26,669net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Louisiana Monroe
Connect Me
L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,398enrollment
  • $11,353net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1320SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Point Park University
Connect Me
P
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,288enrollment
  • $24,702net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1245SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Martin's University
Connect Me
S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,609enrollment
  • $21,811net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 925-1180SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Alabama
Connect Me
S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,438enrollment
  • $15,664net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1003-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best colleges by state: