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

Hamline University
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H
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,638enrollment
  • $23,021net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1258SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,747enrollment
  • $23,359net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Andrews University
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A
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,858enrollment
  • $24,194net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1350SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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N
Omaha, NE
 

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,146enrollment
  • $18,661net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Concordia College at Moorhead
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C
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College at Moorhead

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,903enrollment
  • $23,087net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1218SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Simpson College
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S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,151enrollment
  • $23,185net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 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

  • 1,882enrollment
  • $26,983net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,073enrollment
  • $25,686net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Millikin University
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M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,807enrollment
  • $10,492net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 930-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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College of Mount St. Joseph
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M
Cincinnati, OH
 

College of Mount St. Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,027enrollment
  • $17,506net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1068-1233SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Saint Mary of the Woods College
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S
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
 

Saint Mary of the Woods College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $17,358net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 868-1052SAT range
  • 18-30ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,861enrollment
  • $27,375net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Siena Heights University
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S
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,857enrollment
  • $20,074net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 930-1133SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Anderson University
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A
Anderson, IN

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,290enrollment
  • $21,459net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Marietta College
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M
Marietta, OH

Marietta College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,198enrollment
  • $22,895net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Spring Arbor University
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S
Spring Arbor, MI
 

Spring Arbor University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,396enrollment
  • $22,375net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 970-1135SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Drury University
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D
Springfield, MO
 

Drury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,595enrollment
  • $20,996net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1360SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,616net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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