The Best Big Colleges

The Best Large Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked large, public and private, four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment over 15,000. Leading the list for 2024 is Stanford University. Learn how the Best Large Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
large Public Private 4 year

189 results nationwide

Missouri State University Springfield
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M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 22,535enrollment
  • $17,677net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 973-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 15,219enrollment
  • $13,036net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1198SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 15,969enrollment
  • $10,834net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,801enrollment
  • $7,259net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Kent State University at Kent
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K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 25,854enrollment
  • $19,046net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,676enrollment
  • $16,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Brigham Young University Idaho
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B
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 43,023enrollment
  • $7,899net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,818enrollment
  • $11,596net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Liberty University
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L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 96,709enrollment
  • $29,913net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,958enrollment
  • $11,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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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

  • 16,493enrollment
  • $12,625net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,559enrollment
  • $8,105net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 830-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Boise State University
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B
Boise, ID

Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 26,115enrollment
  • $17,724net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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