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

Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,827enrollment
  • $22,622net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 972-1237SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Concordia University Texas
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C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Crown College
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C
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $27,196net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,100enrollment
  • $11,649net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1048SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Barton College
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B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Coker College
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C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Dillard University
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D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Culver Stockton College
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C
Canton, MO
 

Culver Stockton College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $22,103net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1080SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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L
HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,848enrollment
  • $12,910net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 870-1050SAT range
  • 18-22ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Shorter University
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S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,447enrollment
  • $16,692net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Keystone College
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K
La Plume, PA
 

Keystone College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#60 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,051enrollment
  • $21,461net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Arizona Christian University
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A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 1,233enrollment
  • $32,397net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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American International College
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A
Springfield, MA
 

American International College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#34 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,142enrollment
  • $21,454net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.91Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 7

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