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

Cairn University
Connect Me
C
Langhorne, PA
 

Cairn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,056enrollment
  • $27,603net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.31Avg 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

  • 9,841enrollment
  • $9,738net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rhode Island College
Connect Me
R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 5,767enrollment
  • $11,549net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 860-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.08Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lake Superior State University
Connect Me
L
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,669enrollment
  • $14,345net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Saint Mary
Connect Me
S
Leavenworth, KS
 

University of Saint Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,414enrollment
  • $23,611net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 926-1093SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,184enrollment
  • $23,344net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,768enrollment
  • $25,786net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1220SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Central Missouri
Connect Me
C
Warrensburg, MO

University of Central Missouri

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 12,788enrollment
  • $15,728net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Dubuque
Connect Me
D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,795enrollment
  • $25,216net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Jamestown College
Connect Me
J
Jamestown, ND
 

Jamestown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in North Dakota

  • 1,215enrollment
  • $20,897net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of Mount Saint Vincent
Connect Me
M
Bronx, NY

College of Mount Saint Vincent

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#57 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,202enrollment
  • $21,844net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 920-1200SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.14Estimated Avg GPA

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

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 8,804enrollment
  • $14,621net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 15,345enrollment
  • $13,443net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1255SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Aquinas College
Connect Me
A
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Houston Baptist University
Connect Me
H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Piedmont College
Connect Me
P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $21,599net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Buena Vista University
Connect Me
B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,951enrollment
  • $18,156net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia State University
Connect Me
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 34,974enrollment
  • $16,390net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best colleges by state: