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

Long Island University C W Post Campus
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L
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,322enrollment
  • $22,620net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,504enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Ohio University Main Campus
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O
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 24,937enrollment
  • $20,550net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Utah State University
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U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 28,063enrollment
  • $15,825net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Illinois State University
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I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,989enrollment
  • $20,871net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,278enrollment
  • $9,731net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Ball State University
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B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 20,440enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1250SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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W
West Chester, PA

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 17,076enrollment
  • $21,684net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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West Virginia University
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W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,200enrollment
  • $13,691net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Old Dominion University
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O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 22,269enrollment
  • $17,995net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 36,062enrollment
  • $13,833net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Wayne State University
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W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,553enrollment
  • $16,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 26,785enrollment
  • $14,470net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,848enrollment
  • $11,898net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 21,253enrollment
  • $14,712net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Florida
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N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,453enrollment
  • $10,628net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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