The Best Colleges

The Best Colleges in America for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 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.
Public Private 4 year

1,049 results nationwide

Grinnell College
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G
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,775enrollment
  • $33,446net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1418-1550SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Rochester
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R
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 12,160enrollment
  • $40,900net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Yeshiva University
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Y
New York, NY

Yeshiva University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,826enrollment
  • $38,118net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1500SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Lehigh University
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L
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,590enrollment
  • $33,289net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1490SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Kenyon College
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K
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,184enrollment
  • $44,470net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.84Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 32,234enrollment
  • $11,140net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Franklin and Marshall College
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F
Lancaster, PA

Franklin and Marshall College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $37,475net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1298-1460SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of California Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,678enrollment
  • $15,166net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Virginia Main Campus
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V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 25,924enrollment
  • $17,831net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

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University of California Berkeley
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C
Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 45,699enrollment
  • $16,997net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1530SAT range
  • 30-35ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Villanova University
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V
Villanova, PA

Villanova University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 10,111enrollment
  • $37,946net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lafayette College
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L
Easton, PA

Lafayette College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,764enrollment
  • $34,728net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Smith College
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S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,830enrollment
  • $27,823net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1408-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Trinity University
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T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,694enrollment
  • $32,264net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1465SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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College of William and Mary
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W
Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in America

  • 9,762enrollment
  • $20,422net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1365-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

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Loyola Marymount University
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L
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,256enrollment
  • $54,471net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Southern Methodist University
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S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 11,842enrollment
  • $45,792net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1480SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Colorado College
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C
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Colorado

  • 2,173enrollment
  • $35,281net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1365-1520SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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