The Best Colleges

The Best Colleges in America for 2023

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2023 as the best overall college in America is Princeton University. The top rated public state college is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


970 results nationwide

University of Virginia Main Campus
V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,005enrollment
  • $19,043net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1500SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

College of William and Mary
W
Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $18,588net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1520SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

University of California Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA

University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,116enrollment
  • $16,474net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

University of Miami
M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,096enrollment
  • $31,726net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Lafayette College
L
Easton, PA

Lafayette College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,725enrollment
  • $28,735net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of California Berkeley
C
Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 45,036enrollment
  • $19,329net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1530SAT range
  • 30-35ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Trinity University
T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $31,141net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1468SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Bucknell University
B
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,757enrollment
  • $39,359net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1295-1450SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Connecticut College
C
New London, CT

Connecticut College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,829enrollment
  • $40,474net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1333-1476SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Loyola Marymount University
L
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,184enrollment
  • $48,758net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,385enrollment
  • $41,444net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Smith College
S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,924enrollment
  • $28,422net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

George Washington University
G
Washington, DC

George Washington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 26,457enrollment
  • $40,308net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1490SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
N
Chapel Hill, NC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 31,641enrollment
  • $10,038net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1380SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Occidental College
O
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,964enrollment
  • $41,102net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

Gettysburg College
G
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,401enrollment
  • $34,850net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Villanova University
V
Villanova, PA

Villanova University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 10,870enrollment
  • $38,303net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1490SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Boston University
B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,104enrollment
  • $29,154net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1520SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4