The Best Midwestern Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the Midwest for 2025

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 2025 is Carleton College. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Midwest small Public Private 4 year

115 results

Drury University
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D
Springfield, MO
 

Drury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $22,194net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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Malone University
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M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,205enrollment
  • $23,362net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1236SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Otterbein University
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O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,357enrollment
  • $22,242net price
  • 83%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

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,388enrollment
  • $22,480net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,095enrollment
  • $22,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 935-1205SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Spring Arbor University
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S
Spring Arbor, MI
 

Spring Arbor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,390enrollment
  • $21,720net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 935-1165SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg 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

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,083enrollment
  • $15,887net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 880-1083SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Walsh University
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W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,160enrollment
  • $21,009net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1056-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $23,321net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 978-1235SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg 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

  • 1,150enrollment
  • $15,705net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Huntington University
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H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,504enrollment
  • $21,149net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,255enrollment
  • $21,914net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,075enrollment
  • $25,200net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Hiram College
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H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,362net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,624enrollment
  • $19,910net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $17,424net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
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C
Fayette, MO
 

Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,017enrollment
  • $25,050net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1041-1138SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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