The Best Western Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the West for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the West 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 California Institute of Technology. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
West small Public Private 4 year

36 results

Dominican University of California
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D
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University of California

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,877enrollment
  • $49,907net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1236SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Brigham Young University Hawaii
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B
Laie, HI

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $15,835net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1236SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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The College of Idaho
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I
Caldwell, ID

The College of Idaho

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,082enrollment
  • $24,075net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Carroll College
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C
Helena, MT

Carroll College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Montana

  • 1,168enrollment
  • $23,916net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1200SAT range
  • 13-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 28

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Montana Tech of the University of Montana
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M
Butte, MT
 

Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,625enrollment
  • $16,045net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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William Jessup University
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W
Rocklin, CA
 

William Jessup University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,624enrollment
  • $27,591net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,105enrollment
  • $16,318net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Rocky Mountain College
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R
Billings, MT

Rocky Mountain College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Montana

  • 1,054enrollment
  • $19,353net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of Hawaii at Hilo
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H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,977enrollment
  • $13,867net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $25,076net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Saint Martin's University
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S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,609enrollment
  • $21,811net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 925-1180SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Northwest Nazarene University
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N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,778enrollment
  • $25,674net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Chaminade University of Honolulu
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C
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,369enrollment
  • $27,315net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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The University of Montana Western
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M
Dillon, MT
 

The University of Montana Western

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,424enrollment
  • $11,584net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Hope International University
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H
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,116enrollment
  • $26,146net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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