The Best Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in America for 2025

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 2025 is California Institute of Technology. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
small Public Private 4 year

415 results nationwide

Chestnut Hill College
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C
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#56 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,402enrollment
  • $28,583net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Oklahoma Christian University
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O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,743enrollment
  • $21,810net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

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Bethel College Mishawaka
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B
Mishawaka, IN
 

Bethel College Mishawaka

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,222enrollment
  • $20,058net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Midland University
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M
Fremont, NE

Midland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,557enrollment
  • $24,143net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 893-1110SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Faulkner University
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F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $19,908net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 886-1135SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,324enrollment
  • $9,852net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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West Liberty University
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W
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 2,348enrollment
  • $14,203net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 890-1125SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Avila University
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A
Kansas City, MO
 

Avila University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,733enrollment
  • $17,482net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Cornerstone University
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,735enrollment
  • $23,147net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA

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Georgetown College
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G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Franklin Pierce University
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F
Rindge, NH

Franklin Pierce University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire

  • 1,637enrollment
  • $25,557net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 945-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

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Rochester College
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R
Rochester Hills, MI
 

Rochester College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,173enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 840-1060SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $12,067net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 868-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Toccoa Falls College
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T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Indiana University Kokomo
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I
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,892enrollment
  • $6,459net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Indiana University East
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I
Richmond, IN
 

Indiana University East

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,985enrollment
  • $9,484net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Muskingum University
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M
New Concord, OH
 

Muskingum University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,108enrollment
  • $20,269net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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