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

Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,894enrollment
  • $13,155net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 850-998SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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The University of Montana Western
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M
Dillon, MT
 

The University of Montana Western

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $15,726net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Claflin University
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C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $21,232net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Columbus State University
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C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,610enrollment
  • $11,384net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Tennessee State University
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T
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 8,198enrollment
  • $9,231net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 856-1068SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Norfolk State University
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N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 6,045enrollment
  • $12,272net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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Black Hills State University
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B
Spearfish, SD

Black Hills State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,475enrollment
  • $16,474net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1085SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.22Estimated Avg GPA

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Clayton State University
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C
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 5,842enrollment
  • $9,397net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 868-1070SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 17

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Fayetteville State University
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F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,847enrollment
  • $7,298net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 855-1045SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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West Virginia State University
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W
HBCU
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,458enrollment
  • $10,878net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 830-1073SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Brewton Parker College
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B
Mount Vernon, GA
 

Brewton Parker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,123enrollment
  • $22,488net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 880-1010SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Missouri Valley College
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M
Marshall, MO

Missouri Valley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,619enrollment
  • $18,396net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA

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Truett McConnell College
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T
Cleveland, GA
 

Truett McConnell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,714enrollment
  • $22,373net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of West Alabama
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W
Livingston, AL
 

University of West Alabama

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,194enrollment
  • $14,781net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 820-978SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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Morgan State University
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M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 9,808enrollment
  • $15,350net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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