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.


193 results nationwide

Boise State University
B
Boise, ID

Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 26,670enrollment
  • $19,037net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,760enrollment
  • $8,222net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University San Bernardino
C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 18,925enrollment
  • $6,645net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

University of the Cumberlands
T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

Lamar University
L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,080enrollment
  • $4,551net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 19

Metropolitan State College of Denver
M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 17,593enrollment
  • $13,727net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 880-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Western Kentucky University
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Texas at El Paso
T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 24,351enrollment
  • $10,333net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1