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

Mississippi Valley State University
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M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,196enrollment
  • $12,304net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Bluefield State College
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B
HBCU
Bluefield, WV
 

Bluefield State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,270enrollment
  • $14,500net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southwestern Assemblies of God University
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S
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,725enrollment
  • $19,834net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

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Henderson State University
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H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,136enrollment
  • $16,929net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Concord University
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C
Athens, WV

Concord University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,798enrollment
  • $10,630net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,894enrollment
  • $13,155net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 850-998SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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The University of Montana Western
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M
Dillon, MT
 

The University of Montana Western

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $15,726net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Claflin University
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C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $21,232net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Brewton Parker College
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B
Mount Vernon, GA
 

Brewton Parker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,123enrollment
  • $22,488net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 880-1010SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Missouri Valley College
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M
Marshall, MO

Missouri Valley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,619enrollment
  • $18,396net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA

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Truett McConnell College
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T
Cleveland, GA
 

Truett McConnell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,714enrollment
  • $22,373net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fort Valley State University
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F
HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,763enrollment
  • $11,457net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 795-920SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Benedict College
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B
HBCU
Columbia, SC
 

Benedict College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,731enrollment
  • $18,146net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $9,672net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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Virginia Union University
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V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,662enrollment
  • $20,207net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 750-1010SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,950enrollment
  • $13,800net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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