The Best Colleges

The Best Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2024 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

1,040 results nationwide

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

  • 3,785enrollment
  • $11,684net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 840-1065SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Bethune Cookman University
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B
HBCU
Daytona Beach, FL

Bethune Cookman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,727enrollment
  • $15,769net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 830-980SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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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

  • 9,101enrollment
  • $13,956net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Saint Augustines College
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S
HBCU
Raleigh, NC

Saint Augustines College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,108enrollment
  • $20,081net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 780-940SAT range
  • 12-16ACT range
  • 2.5Avg 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

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 783-978SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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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

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

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Alabama State University
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A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $13,176net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 828-1041SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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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

  • 8,632enrollment
  • $11,826net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT 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

  • 2,605enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 810-950SAT 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

#12 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,320enrollment
  • $16,959net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Grambling State University
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G
HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,058enrollment
  • $15,796net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 840-990SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

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Virginia Union University
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V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,860enrollment
  • $21,057net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 813-990SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $17,845net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 820-1020SAT range
  • -ACT 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

  • 5,434enrollment
  • $10,194net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 770-950SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.8Avg 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

  • 6,607enrollment
  • $9,450net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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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

  • 6,334enrollment
  • $14,672net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

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Savannah State University
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S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,945enrollment
  • $9,452net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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