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

University of Southern Maine
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S
Portland, ME

University of Southern Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 7,528enrollment
  • $12,006net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 995-1280SAT range
  • 23-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,320enrollment
  • $18,480net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 890-1260SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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B
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 17,027enrollment
  • $20,987net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Northern Colorado
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N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 9,067enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 17-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 20,519enrollment
  • $12,509net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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University of North Texas
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N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,722enrollment
  • $15,307net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,743enrollment
  • $10,592net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Georgia College & State University
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G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,811enrollment
  • $19,769net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Flagler College St Augustine
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F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,441enrollment
  • $31,085net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Utica College
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U
Utica, NY
 

Utica College

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

#56 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,733enrollment
  • $22,510net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 13,352enrollment
  • $11,593net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1198SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Thomas More University
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T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,947enrollment
  • $21,314net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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University of Charleston
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C
Charleston, WV

University of Charleston

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $21,100net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 985-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Reinhardt University
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R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,170enrollment
  • $27,507net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Seton Hill University
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S
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,984enrollment
  • $23,732net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Frostburg State University
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F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,075enrollment
  • $16,521net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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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

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,586enrollment
  • $16,033net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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