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

Virginia Tech
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V
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 38,294enrollment
  • $22,205net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
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C
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in California

  • 22,485enrollment
  • $16,888net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Saint Louis University Main Campus
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S
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Missouri

  • 17,202enrollment
  • $30,911net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1430SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

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St Mary's College of Maryland
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S
St. Mary's City, MD

St Mary's College of Maryland

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,587enrollment
  • $20,679net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1330SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Westminster College
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W
Salt Lake City, UT

Westminster College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Utah

  • 1,214enrollment
  • $28,156net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1148-1378SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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M
Minneapolis, MN

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 54,890enrollment
  • $16,730net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Centre College
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C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kentucky

  • 1,356enrollment
  • $23,780net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1423SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Manhattan College
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M
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,495enrollment
  • $28,349net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Clark University
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C
Worcester, MA

Clark University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,124enrollment
  • $32,767net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1400SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Wofford College
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W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,873enrollment
  • $31,061net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1350SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Oberlin College
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O
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,976enrollment
  • $50,484net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Wheaton College
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W
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,799enrollment
  • $31,346net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1440SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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St Lawrence University
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S
Canton, NY

St Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,089enrollment
  • $36,175net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1255-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Illinois Wesleyan University
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I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $31,310net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Colorado School of Mines
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C
Golden, CO

Colorado School of Mines

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 7,599enrollment
  • $29,785net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1470SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Syracuse University
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S
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 22,948enrollment
  • $51,520net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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St Olaf College
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S
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,074enrollment
  • $27,282net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1470SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Saint Joseph's University
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S
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Joseph's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,201enrollment
  • $36,392net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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