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

Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $25,047net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 840-1086SAT range
  • 12-20ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Aquinas College
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A
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,265enrollment
  • $18,605net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Midland University
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M
Fremont, NE

Midland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,615enrollment
  • $22,377net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 950-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,821enrollment
  • $24,870net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Cornerstone University
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,781enrollment
  • $20,935net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA

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Indiana University Kokomo
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I
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $6,648net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.29Avg 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

  • 2,317enrollment
  • $6,446net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Rochester College
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R
Rochester Hills, MI
 

Rochester College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $18,665net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 840-1060SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,827enrollment
  • $20,236net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

  • 2,710enrollment
  • $12,908net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 2,117enrollment
  • $19,682net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Lourdes University
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L
Sylvania, OH
 

Lourdes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $22,634net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Avg 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

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $18,746net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 800-920SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Notre Dame College
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N
Cleveland, OH
 

Notre Dame College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $20,151net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.09Estimated Avg GPA

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Crown College
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C
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $25,504net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,473enrollment
  • $20,922net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Wilmington College
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W
Wilmington, OH
 

Wilmington College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,046enrollment
  • $24,528net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 850-1010SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Missouri Valley College
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M
Marshall, MO

Missouri Valley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $18,450net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA

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