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

Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,765enrollment
  • $22,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1198SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Lake Superior State University
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L
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $14,336net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Keene State College
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K
Keene, NH

Keene State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 2,872enrollment
  • $19,546net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 24-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Carlow University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,104enrollment
  • $17,437net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Saint Joseph's College of Maine
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S
Standish, ME
 

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maine

  • 1,478enrollment
  • $29,625net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 960-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $23,635net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1130SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,776enrollment
  • $22,879net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 828-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Concordia University Ann Arbor
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C
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,203enrollment
  • $26,353net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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Dominican College of Blauvelt
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D
Orangeburg, NY
 

Dominican College of Blauvelt

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#54 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,407enrollment
  • $23,747net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 953-1178SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

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Northwest Nazarene University
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N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,778enrollment
  • $25,674net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Oklahoma Baptist University
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O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 1,399enrollment
  • $24,672net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Neumann University
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N
Aston, PA
 

Neumann University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,155enrollment
  • $28,707net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 905-1085SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Louisiana College
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L
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,026enrollment
  • $14,566net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Keuka College
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K
Keuka Park, NY
 

Keuka College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#55 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,250enrollment
  • $28,397net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1133SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Reinhardt University
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R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,141enrollment
  • $26,845net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Felician College
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F
Lodi, NJ
 

Felician College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,148enrollment
  • $15,743net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 893-1108SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.05Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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