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.


414 results nationwide

Southern Wesleyan University
S
Central, SC
 

Southern Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,175enrollment
  • $17,639net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1013-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Georgetown College
G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,548enrollment
  • $15,152net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Midland University
M
Fremont, NE

Midland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,615enrollment
  • $22,377net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 950-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

West Virginia University Institute of Technology
W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,481enrollment
  • $9,529net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Chaminade University of Honolulu
C
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,369enrollment
  • $27,315net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $10,448net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 830-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Mississippi University for Women
M
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,339enrollment
  • $12,691net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Lancaster Bible College
L
Lancaster, PA
 

Lancaster Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#55 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,066enrollment
  • $21,415net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA

Texas Wesleyan University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,578enrollment
  • $15,652net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Adrian College
A
Adrian, MI

Adrian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,821enrollment
  • $24,870net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Limestone University
L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,786enrollment
  • $23,478net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Faulkner University
F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,817enrollment
  • $20,050net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Cornerstone University
C
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,781enrollment
  • $20,935net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA

Indiana University Kokomo
I
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $6,648net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Chicago State University
C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,317enrollment
  • $6,446net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Shorter University
S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,515enrollment
  • $13,490net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1290SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

Toccoa Falls College
T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,046enrollment
  • $20,609net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Medaille College
M
Buffalo, NY
 

Medaille College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#57 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $14,992net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.14Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1