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

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

#17 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,227enrollment
  • $18,470net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 875-1070SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Cleary University
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C
Howell, MI
 

Cleary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,040enrollment
  • $24,965net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 18-19ACT range
  • 3.17Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Adrian College
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A
Adrian, MI

Adrian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,760enrollment
  • $22,053net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Heidelberg University
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H
Tiffin, OH
 

Heidelberg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,059enrollment
  • $19,620net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1162SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Concordia University Ann Arbor
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C
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,351enrollment
  • $28,020net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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Mount Mary College
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M
Milwaukee, WI
 

Mount Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,224enrollment
  • $19,409net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 866-1123SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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Bethel College Mishawaka
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B
Mishawaka, IN
 

Bethel College Mishawaka

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,222enrollment
  • $20,058net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Midland University
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M
Fremont, NE

Midland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,557enrollment
  • $24,143net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 893-1110SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,324enrollment
  • $9,852net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Avila University
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A
Kansas City, MO
 

Avila University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,733enrollment
  • $17,482net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Cornerstone University
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,735enrollment
  • $23,147net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA

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Rochester College
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R
Rochester Hills, MI
 

Rochester College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,173enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 840-1060SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Indiana University Kokomo
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I
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,892enrollment
  • $6,459net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Indiana University East
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I
Richmond, IN
 

Indiana University East

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,985enrollment
  • $9,484net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Muskingum University
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M
New Concord, OH
 

Muskingum University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,108enrollment
  • $20,269net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Superior
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W
Superior, WI

University of Wisconsin Superior

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 2,726enrollment
  • $13,126net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,796enrollment
  • $22,296net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $22,361net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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