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

Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $26,429net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,771enrollment
  • $24,962net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1205SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg 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

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,845enrollment
  • $23,293net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 963-1228SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Judson University
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J
Elgin, IL

Judson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $21,331net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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Siena Heights University
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S
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,832enrollment
  • $17,740net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
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S
Fort Wayne, IN
 

University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $20,897net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,195enrollment
  • $16,632net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Hastings College
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H
Hastings, NE
 

Hastings College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,821net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Lake Superior State University
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L
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,669enrollment
  • $14,345net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,795enrollment
  • $25,216net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Aquinas College
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A
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,951enrollment
  • $18,156net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Madonna University
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M
Livonia, MI

Madonna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,054enrollment
  • $18,583net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Mount Marty College
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M
Yankton, SD
 

Mount Marty College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota

  • 1,314enrollment
  • $23,163net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 810-1050SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,249enrollment
  • $24,098net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Grace College and Theological Seminary
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G
Winona Lake, IN
 

Grace College and Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,271enrollment
  • $21,680net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Marian University
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M
Fond Du Lac, WI
 

Marian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,319enrollment
  • $23,552net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 800-1080SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

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Greenville University
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G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,053enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 811-1219SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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