The Best Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2024 is California Institute of Technology. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
small Public Private 4 year

414 results nationwide

Caldwell University
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C
Caldwell, NJ
 

Caldwell University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,028enrollment
  • $20,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Saint Francis University
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S
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,857enrollment
  • $27,459net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,616net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,105enrollment
  • $16,318net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Catawba College
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C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,169enrollment
  • $23,303net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1218SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Piedmont College
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P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,843enrollment
  • $18,792net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Mount Union
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M
Alliance, OH

University of Mount Union

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,130enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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Cedar Crest College
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C
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,324enrollment
  • $23,500net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Flagler College St Augustine
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F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,623enrollment
  • $26,547net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Wisconsin Lutheran College
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W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,086enrollment
  • $22,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1038-1243SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Waynesburg University
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W
Waynesburg, PA

Waynesburg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,366enrollment
  • $22,281net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Walsh University
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W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,309enrollment
  • $20,032net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Pittsburgh Bradford
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P
Bradford, PA

University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,505net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 980-1196SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Otterbein University
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O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,458enrollment
  • $22,661net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Capital University
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C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,617enrollment
  • $24,439net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 960-1186SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,978enrollment
  • $22,663net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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