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

Delta State University
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D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,556enrollment
  • $14,138net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1280SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,481enrollment
  • $19,911net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Avila University
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A
Kansas City, MO
 

Avila University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,306enrollment
  • $17,210net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 933-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,531enrollment
  • $12,557net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,973enrollment
  • $19,204net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Baker University
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B
Baldwin City, KS

Baker University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 2,105enrollment
  • $23,957net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 970-1130SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $21,583net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,532enrollment
  • $26,539net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 858-1105SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,753enrollment
  • $28,226net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 830-1117SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Centenary University
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C
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,498enrollment
  • $21,935net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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Friends University
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F
Wichita, KS
 

Friends University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,724enrollment
  • $23,720net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 950-1181SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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University of Saint Mary
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S
Leavenworth, KS
 

University of Saint Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,267enrollment
  • $21,887net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 935-1066SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Minot State University
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M
Minot, ND

Minot State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 2,777enrollment
  • $12,360net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 992-1178SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Penn State Brandywine
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P
Media, PA

Penn State Brandywine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,196enrollment
  • $21,600net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1285SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Mayville State University
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M
Mayville, ND

Mayville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,123enrollment
  • $14,347net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 880-1250SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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McMurry University
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M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,237enrollment
  • $18,757net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Dickinson State University
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D
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,473enrollment
  • $14,971net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Alvernia University
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A
Reading, PA

Alvernia University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $27,091net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 996-1170SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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