The Best Midwestern Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the Midwest for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the Midwest 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 Carleton College. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Midwest small Public Private 4 year

110 results

John Carroll University
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J
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,922enrollment
  • $30,496net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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College of Saint Benedict
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S
Saint Joseph, MN

College of Saint Benedict

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,470enrollment
  • $28,746net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1245SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Saint Johns University
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S
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,645enrollment
  • $27,982net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 915-1185SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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Indiana Wesleyan University
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I
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,603enrollment
  • $21,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Augustana College
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A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,349enrollment
  • $24,660net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,958enrollment
  • $22,755net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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University of Evansville
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E
Evansville, IN

University of Evansville

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,017enrollment
  • $19,301net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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University of Minnesota Morris
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M
Morris, MN

University of Minnesota Morris

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,068enrollment
  • $11,169net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Augustana University
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A
Sioux Falls, SD

Augustana University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in South Dakota

  • 2,086enrollment
  • $23,843net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1325SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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Albion College
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A
Albion, MI

Albion College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,456enrollment
  • $19,351net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Hanover College
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H
Hanover, IN

Hanover College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,124enrollment
  • $26,599net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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Luther College
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L
Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,734net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1330SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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North Central College
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N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,695enrollment
  • $25,285net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Wittenberg University
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W
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,299enrollment
  • $22,912net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Taylor University
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T
Upland, IN

Taylor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,221enrollment
  • $27,366net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Ohio Wesleyan University
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O
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,410enrollment
  • $27,311net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1123-1358SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 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
  • $21,124net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1378SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,688enrollment
  • $25,201net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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