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

Missouri State University Springfield
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M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 22,535enrollment
  • $17,677net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 973-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,868enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,848enrollment
  • $10,370net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 910-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Felician College
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F
Lodi, NJ
 

Felician College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,148enrollment
  • $15,743net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 893-1108SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.05Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Emory and Henry College
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E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,358enrollment
  • $20,834net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
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C
Fayette, MO
 

Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,080enrollment
  • $24,828net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 930-1090SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

  • 1,252enrollment
  • $21,476net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1050SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Castleton State College
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C
Castleton, VT
 

Castleton State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Vermont

  • 2,363enrollment
  • $16,791net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.17Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 15,219enrollment
  • $13,036net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1198SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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CUNY York College
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Y
Jamaica, NY

CUNY York College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#29 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,446enrollment
  • $6,670net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 870-1050SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
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W
Oshkosh, WI

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 13,705enrollment
  • $12,827net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Lee University
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L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,927enrollment
  • $19,726net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Jamestown College
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J
Jamestown, ND
 

Jamestown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in North Dakota

  • 1,242enrollment
  • $19,950net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

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Ferris State University
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F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 10,072enrollment
  • $13,978net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 910-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
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T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,778enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 982-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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