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

Western State Colorado University
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W
Gunnison, CO

Western State Colorado University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 4,053enrollment
  • $17,709net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Trine University
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T
Angola, IN
 

Trine University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 4,471enrollment
  • $25,580net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Anderson University
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A
Anderson, SC

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 4,325enrollment
  • $22,222net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
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S
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 8,350enrollment
  • $18,407net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Bemidji State University
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B
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 3,926enrollment
  • $16,349net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,249enrollment
  • $24,098net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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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

  • 15,922enrollment
  • $15,734net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 995-1185SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg 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

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Penn State Brandywine
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P
Media, PA

Penn State Brandywine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,223enrollment
  • $21,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 18-29ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,829enrollment
  • $14,453net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Grace College and Theological Seminary
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G
Winona Lake, IN
 

Grace College and Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,271enrollment
  • $21,680net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Marian University
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M
Fond Du Lac, WI
 

Marian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,319enrollment
  • $23,552net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 800-1080SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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University of Maine at Farmington
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M
Farmington, ME
 

University of Maine at Farmington

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 1,950enrollment
  • $15,383net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 915-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Carlow University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#54 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,310enrollment
  • $20,561net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Hawaii at Hilo
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H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Hawaii

  • 2,781enrollment
  • $12,936net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 898-1110SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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