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

Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,169enrollment
  • $23,303net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1218SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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University of Mount Union
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M
Alliance, OH

University of Mount Union

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,130enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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Wisconsin Lutheran College
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W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,086enrollment
  • $22,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1038-1243SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Walsh University
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W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,309enrollment
  • $20,032net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Otterbein University
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O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,458enrollment
  • $22,661net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Capital University
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C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,617enrollment
  • $24,439net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 960-1186SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Malone University
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M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,199enrollment
  • $21,571net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 943-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Cardinal Stritch University
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C
Milwaukee, WI
 

Cardinal Stritch University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,332enrollment
  • $20,002net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 18-21ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Mercy College of Ohio
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M
Toledo, OH
 

Mercy College of Ohio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,261enrollment
  • $14,564net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 780-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Madonna University
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M
Livonia, MI

Madonna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,109enrollment
  • $18,344net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Huntington University
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H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $20,066net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,660enrollment
  • $19,029net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,667enrollment
  • $26,209net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,960enrollment
  • $22,431net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Trinity International University
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T
Deerfield, IL
 

Trinity International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,242enrollment
  • $16,703net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 925-1106SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Mount Vernon Nazarene University
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M
Mount Vernon, OH
 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,941enrollment
  • $23,391net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 963-1228SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Viterbo University
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V
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $23,257net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,307enrollment
  • $11,985net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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