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

Lewis Clark State College
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L
Lewiston, ID
 

Lewis Clark State College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 3,706enrollment
  • $12,508net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 850-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 8

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,100enrollment
  • $11,649net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1048SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Southeastern Louisiana University
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S
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 13,861enrollment
  • $12,007net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Barton College
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B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Coker College
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C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Parkside
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W
Kenosha, WI

University of Wisconsin Parkside

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 4,008enrollment
  • $8,778net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Metropolitan State College of Denver
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M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 17,593enrollment
  • $13,727net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 880-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,630enrollment
  • $9,687net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Dillard University
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D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Valdosta State University
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V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,151enrollment
  • $11,532net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Western Kentucky University
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W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Missouri Baptist University
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M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Missouri Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 5,641enrollment
  • $26,117net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 910-1170SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Georgia Southwestern State University
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G
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,408enrollment
  • $11,779net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 21

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Youngstown State University
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Y
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 11,040enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
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E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,386enrollment
  • $6,683net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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