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

Southern Oregon University
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S
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,371enrollment
  • $17,433net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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California State University San Bernardino
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C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 18,925enrollment
  • $6,645net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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The University of Texas at San Antonio
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T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Nichols College
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N
Dudley, MA

Nichols College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,354enrollment
  • $31,032net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Jacksonville State University
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J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,672enrollment
  • $14,511net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1260SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Northwest Missouri State University
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N
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,664enrollment
  • $15,497net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Commerce
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T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Southwest Minnesota State University
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S
Marshall, MN
 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 7,324enrollment
  • $14,839net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 935-1102SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,844enrollment
  • $14,595net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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East Central University
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E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,572enrollment
  • $23,920net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Charleston Southern University
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C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,545enrollment
  • $21,347net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

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SUNY College of Technology at Canton
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O
Canton, NY

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,919enrollment
  • $14,451net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Upper Iowa University
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U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Troy University
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T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,923enrollment
  • $12,504net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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