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

Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,322enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1270SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Converse College
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C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,341enrollment
  • $19,438net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1238SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lindenwood University
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L
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,288enrollment
  • $18,698net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Saint Xavier University
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S
Chicago, IL
 

Saint Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,457enrollment
  • $11,943net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,414net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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The University of Montana
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M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 10,327enrollment
  • $17,775net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Point Park University
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P
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,299enrollment
  • $25,477net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,992enrollment
  • $14,956net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 990-1230SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Neumann University
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N
Aston, PA
 

Neumann University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,171enrollment
  • $29,298net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 905-1085SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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SUNY College at Old Westbury
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O
Old Westbury, NY
 

SUNY College at Old Westbury

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,449enrollment
  • $10,495net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1206SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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New Mexico State University Main Campus
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N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 14,779enrollment
  • $8,353net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1110SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Madonna University
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M
Livonia, MI

Madonna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,054enrollment
  • $18,583net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Platteville
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W
Platteville, WI

University of Wisconsin Platteville

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 6,696enrollment
  • $15,966net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,694enrollment
  • $16,838net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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The University of West Florida
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W
Pensacola, FL

The University of West Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 14,371enrollment
  • $8,908net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,504enrollment
  • $14,669net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 7,251enrollment
  • $21,246net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Saint Joseph's College of Maine
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S
Standish, ME
 

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maine

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $28,268net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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