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

Auburn University at Montgomery
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A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,189enrollment
  • $15,458net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Belmont Abbey College
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B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $23,463net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

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Missouri Southern State University
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M
Joplin, MO
 

Missouri Southern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 4,090enrollment
  • $11,264net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus
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I
Indiana, PA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 9,246enrollment
  • $17,665net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Delaware State University
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D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,828enrollment
  • $15,555net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Arkansas Tech University
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A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,487enrollment
  • $11,443net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Louisiana State University Shreveport
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L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 9,736enrollment
  • $7,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Northeastern State University
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N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Virginia State University
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V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $16,184net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Georgia Southern University
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G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Midway University
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M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of the Cumberlands
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T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Southeastern University
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S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,400enrollment
  • $27,935net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Hope International University
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H
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $30,514net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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Indiana University South Bend
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I
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 4,446enrollment
  • $8,090net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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