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

University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,827enrollment
  • $20,236net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Wisconsin Superior
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W
Superior, WI

University of Wisconsin Superior

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 2,710enrollment
  • $12,908net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Colorado Mesa University
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C
Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 8,905enrollment
  • $15,085net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.28Avg 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

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,242enrollment
  • $17,001net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of South Carolina Aiken
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S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,840enrollment
  • $11,872net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Schreiner University
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S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,193enrollment
  • $24,278net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,230enrollment
  • $10,154net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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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

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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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

  • 2,117enrollment
  • $19,682net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Stephen F Austin State University
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S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

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Southern Oregon University
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S
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,204enrollment
  • $17,976net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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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

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,559enrollment
  • $8,105net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 830-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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West Liberty University
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W
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 2,315enrollment
  • $13,788net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 888-1130SAT range
  • 6-9ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Chestnut Hill College
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C
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#56 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,420enrollment
  • $25,357net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Boise State University
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B
Boise, ID

Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 26,115enrollment
  • $17,724net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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