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

Henderson State University
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H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,519enrollment
  • $17,656net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,124enrollment
  • $16,113net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Keystone College
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K
La Plume, PA
 

Keystone College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#59 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,131enrollment
  • $15,559net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 885-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Southern Virginia University
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S
Buena Vista, VA

Southern Virginia University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,053enrollment
  • $23,274net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 900-1250SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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Bluefield State College
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HBCU
Bluefield, WV
 

Bluefield State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,306enrollment
  • $11,759net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,387enrollment
  • $9,959net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 805-1045SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Bloomfield College
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B
Bloomfield, NJ

Bloomfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,153enrollment
  • $20,320net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 770-960SAT range
  • 14-16ACT range
  • 2.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $19,405net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 928-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,824enrollment
  • $15,502net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Mississippi Valley State University
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M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 1,879enrollment
  • $11,598net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg 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

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $14,864net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 903-1115SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,794enrollment
  • $19,217net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg 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

  • 1,830enrollment
  • $19,951net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Webber International University
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W
Babson Park, FL
 

Webber International University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,133enrollment
  • $27,995net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 853-1060SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.98Avg GPA

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Truett McConnell College
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T
Cleveland, GA
 

Truett McConnell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,796enrollment
  • $18,835net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 1,303enrollment
  • $20,414net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Missouri Valley College
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M
Marshall, MO

Missouri Valley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $18,450net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA

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Bethune Cookman University
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B
HBCU
Daytona Beach, FL

Bethune Cookman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,727enrollment
  • $15,769net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 830-980SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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