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

Grinnell College
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G
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,759enrollment
  • $33,467net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Franklin and Marshall College
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F
Lancaster, PA

Franklin and Marshall College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,990enrollment
  • $31,135net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1440SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Kenyon College
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K
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,885enrollment
  • $43,044net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1515SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.84Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of California Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,430enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Virginia Main Campus
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V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,082enrollment
  • $19,469net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Miami
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M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,402enrollment
  • $36,467net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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College of William and Mary
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W
Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 9,654enrollment
  • $25,688net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1375-1520SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

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Santa Clara University
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S
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,178enrollment
  • $50,551net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

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University of California Berkeley
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C
Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 45,307enrollment
  • $19,257net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1530SAT range
  • 30-35ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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N
Chapel Hill, NC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 31,705enrollment
  • $10,614net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lafayette College
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L
Easton, PA

Lafayette College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,729enrollment
  • $37,186net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Villanova University
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V
Villanova, PA

Villanova University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 10,383enrollment
  • $34,837net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1378-1500SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Southern Methodist University
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S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,053enrollment
  • $45,094net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Smith College
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S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,873enrollment
  • $30,790net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1520SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Trinity University
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T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,692enrollment
  • $30,038net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Loyola Marymount University
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L
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,165enrollment
  • $52,815net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Bucknell University
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B
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,787enrollment
  • $39,965net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Occidental College
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $44,853net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

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