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

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,128enrollment
  • $29,481net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Millersville University of Pennsylvania
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M
Millersville, PA

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 6,732enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

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Wichita State University
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W
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kansas

  • 16,741enrollment
  • $14,184net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1250SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Western Carolina University
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W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,628enrollment
  • $12,252net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 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

  • 6,951enrollment
  • $15,574net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Penn State Abington
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P
Abington, PA

Penn State Abington

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 3,095enrollment
  • $17,561net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $19,087net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 970-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • NAAvg 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

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $20,405net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 24-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $21,321net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 968-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Concordia University Chicago
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C
River Forest, IL
 

Concordia University Chicago

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,066enrollment
  • $17,767net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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University of South Alabama
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S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,768enrollment
  • $13,613net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,231enrollment
  • $19,478net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Mount Marty College
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M
Yankton, SD
 

Mount Marty College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota

  • 1,314enrollment
  • $23,163net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 810-1050SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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CUNY New York City College of Technology
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N
Brooklyn, NY

CUNY New York City College of Technology

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#29 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,767enrollment
  • $5,417net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 880-1200SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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University of Wisconsin River Falls
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W
River Falls, WI

University of Wisconsin River Falls

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 5,064enrollment
  • $15,242net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,407enrollment
  • $28,596net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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