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 Oregon University
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W
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 3,857enrollment
  • $15,249net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 868-1108SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $12,067net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 868-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Toccoa Falls College
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T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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N
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,847enrollment
  • $13,156net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 925-1243SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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University of Southern Mississippi
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S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,110enrollment
  • $14,050net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Northern State University
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N
Aberdeen, SD
 

Northern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,521enrollment
  • $16,873net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
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W
Stevens Point, WI

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 8,109enrollment
  • $14,347net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Indiana University Kokomo
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I
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,892enrollment
  • $6,459net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,664enrollment
  • $10,763net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Indiana University East
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I
Richmond, IN
 

Indiana University East

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,985enrollment
  • $9,484net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Muskingum University
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M
New Concord, OH
 

Muskingum University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,108enrollment
  • $20,269net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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West Texas A & M University
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W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,997enrollment
  • $17,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Georgia
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W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $7,303net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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