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

Alvernia University
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A
Reading, PA

Alvernia University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $27,091net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 996-1170SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,257enrollment
  • $19,515net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,765enrollment
  • $22,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1198SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,876enrollment
  • $30,501net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 6

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Lake Superior State University
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L
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $14,336net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Keene State College
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K
Keene, NH

Keene State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 2,872enrollment
  • $19,546net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 24-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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University of Wisconsin Stout
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W
Menomonie, WI

University of Wisconsin Stout

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 7,234enrollment
  • $15,510net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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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

  • 4,270enrollment
  • $12,329net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1206SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Oakland University
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O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 16,108enrollment
  • $15,161net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1245SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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Carlow University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,104enrollment
  • $17,437net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg 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

  • 1,478enrollment
  • $29,625net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 960-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $23,635net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1130SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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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

  • 7,000enrollment
  • $18,016net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,776enrollment
  • $22,879net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 828-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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