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

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

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shepherd University
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S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,318enrollment
  • $12,651net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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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

  • 26,670enrollment
  • $19,037net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Regent University
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R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 10,168enrollment
  • $18,314net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Saginaw Valley State University
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S
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 6,889enrollment
  • $15,144net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,726enrollment
  • $13,126net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Oral Roberts University
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O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 5,365enrollment
  • $24,347net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Baker College of Flint
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B
Flint, MI
 

Baker College of Flint

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,898enrollment
  • $14,743net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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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

  • 37,760enrollment
  • $8,222net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $21,786net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,796enrollment
  • $22,296net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,017enrollment
  • $11,231net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1138SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $22,361net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Mount Aloysius College
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M
Cresson, PA
 

Mount Aloysius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#58 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,967enrollment
  • $20,570net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 900-1105SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Limestone University
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L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Nicholls State University
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N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,180enrollment
  • $11,029net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 928-1145SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Friends University
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F
Wichita, KS
 

Friends University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,927enrollment
  • $22,579net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 915-1090SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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