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

Grambling State University
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G
HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $19,092net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 860-1150SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

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Alabama State University
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A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,870enrollment
  • $13,504net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 865-1069SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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South Carolina State University
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S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,041enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Alabama A & M University
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A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,614enrollment
  • $14,064net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 810-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

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Texas Southern University
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T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,469enrollment
  • $15,021net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Fort Valley State University
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F
HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,763enrollment
  • $11,457net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 795-920SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Southern University and A & M College
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S
HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University and A & M College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,341enrollment
  • $18,937net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 798-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Benedict College
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B
HBCU
Columbia, SC
 

Benedict College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,731enrollment
  • $18,146net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Central State University
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C
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 3,454enrollment
  • $14,821net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 770-950SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $9,672net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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Virginia Union University
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V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,662enrollment
  • $20,207net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 750-1010SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

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University of Alaska Fairbanks
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A
Fairbanks, AK

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alaska

  • 6,640enrollment
  • $9,985net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Harding University
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H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,608enrollment
  • $21,069net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,950enrollment
  • $13,800net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Colorado State University Pueblo
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C
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 6,691enrollment
  • $14,188net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1100SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Bethune Cookman University
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B
HBCU
Daytona Beach, FL

Bethune Cookman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,515enrollment
  • $14,705net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 830-1000SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
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F
Orlando, FL

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,692enrollment
  • $30,340net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1140SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Albany State University
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A
HBCU
Albany, GA

Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,544enrollment
  • $13,775net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

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