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

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
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S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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St. Thomas University
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S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,455enrollment
  • $27,029net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Lourdes University
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L
Sylvania, OH
 

Lourdes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $22,614net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,080enrollment
  • $4,551net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 19

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Tiffin University
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T
Tiffin, OH
 

Tiffin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,598enrollment
  • $24,516net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 870-1120SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Bowie State University
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B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 6,408enrollment
  • $16,117net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 796-1083SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Wilson College
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W
Chambersburg, PA
 

Wilson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#59 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,694enrollment
  • $21,567net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Fairmont State University
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F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,307enrollment
  • $10,993net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,827enrollment
  • $22,622net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 972-1237SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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North Carolina A & T State University
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N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $10,258net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Concordia University Texas
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C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Crown College
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C
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $27,196net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Winston Salem State University
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W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 4,776enrollment
  • $12,948net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Southeast Missouri State University
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S
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,686enrollment
  • $14,843net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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