The Best Big Colleges

The Best Large Colleges in America for 2025

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 2025 is Stanford University. Learn how the Best Large Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
large Public Private 4 year

193 results nationwide

Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Oakland University
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O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 15,922enrollment
  • $15,734net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 995-1185SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 41,962enrollment
  • $6,283net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

  • 23,418enrollment
  • $17,104net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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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

  • 16,167enrollment
  • $10,548net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 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

  • 42,996enrollment
  • $7,295net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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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

  • 26,106enrollment
  • $20,333net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 15,431enrollment
  • $10,500net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,172enrollment
  • $11,183net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,481enrollment
  • $16,499net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Liberty University
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L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 103,068enrollment
  • $29,692net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Southern Utah University
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S
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Utah

  • 15,033enrollment
  • $12,375net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 8

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,664enrollment
  • $10,763net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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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

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg 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

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $7,303net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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