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.


1,049 results nationwide

The University of Tennessee Martin
T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,855enrollment
  • $14,991net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Dakota State University
D
Madison, SD

Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,508enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1340SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

New Jersey City University
N
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 5,833enrollment
  • $12,157net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Freed Hardeman University
F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,265enrollment
  • $15,491net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1150SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Brigham Young University Idaho
B
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 42,996enrollment
  • $7,295net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Eastern Michigan University
E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 13,324enrollment
  • $17,388net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1170SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
E
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,460enrollment
  • $15,318net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

SUNY Morrisville
S
Morrisville, NY
 

SUNY Morrisville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,040enrollment
  • $16,855net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 2.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Ottawa University Ottawa
O
Ottawa, KS
 

Ottawa University Ottawa

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $28,126net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,888enrollment
  • $15,498net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

Fort Lewis College
F
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $16,074net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Marshall University
M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 11,027enrollment
  • $9,734net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

Aurora University
A
Aurora, IL

Aurora University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,935enrollment
  • $19,220net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 930-1133SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Texas A&M International University
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,536enrollment
  • $3,833net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Heidelberg University
H
Tiffin, OH
 

Heidelberg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,059enrollment
  • $19,620net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1162SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA