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

SUNY Maritime College
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S
Throggs Neck, NY

SUNY Maritime College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,350enrollment
  • $20,398net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1091-1285SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Albion College
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A
Albion, MI

Albion College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,354enrollment
  • $18,470net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Carroll College
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C
Helena, MT

Carroll College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Montana

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $26,103net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 28

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Simpson College
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S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,163enrollment
  • $23,637net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Emmanuel College
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E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $33,214net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Transylvania University
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T
Lexington, KY

Transylvania University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,022enrollment
  • $25,634net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Hartwick College
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H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,113enrollment
  • $26,818net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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Wisconsin Lutheran College
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W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,094enrollment
  • $22,809net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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N
Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,925enrollment
  • $14,175net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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S
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $20,243net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Saint Norbert College
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S
De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $27,236net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1066-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,993enrollment
  • $24,432net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1243SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Randolph Macon College
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R
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,523enrollment
  • $29,058net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Pacific Lutheran University
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P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $23,841net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 988-1258SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Asbury University
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A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $21,375net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,703enrollment
  • $23,578net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
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P
Johnstown, PA

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,940enrollment
  • $17,909net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1255SAT range
  • 19-32ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of Pittsburgh Bradford
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P
Bradford, PA

University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,003enrollment
  • $17,015net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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