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

Bucknell University
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B
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,892enrollment
  • $38,486net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1450SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Florida
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F
Gainesville, FL

University of Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in America

  • 54,814enrollment
  • $11,521net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1480SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Connecticut College
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C
New London, CT

Connecticut College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,995enrollment
  • $42,941net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1470SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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George Washington University
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G
Washington, DC

George Washington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 25,568enrollment
  • $45,466net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Boston University
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B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

10 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,624enrollment
  • $27,551net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1520SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Occidental College
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,854enrollment
  • $47,113net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

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Gettysburg College
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G
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,895enrollment
  • $35,729net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1460SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Reed College
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R
Portland, OR

Reed College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oregon

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $36,993net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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College of the Holy Cross
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H
Worcester, MA

College of the Holy Cross

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,035enrollment
  • $35,455net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Sewanee The University of the South
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S
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University of the South

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,693enrollment
  • $33,616net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1236-1398SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Bryn Mawr College
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B
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,666enrollment
  • $39,383net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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American University
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A
Washington, DC

American University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 13,019enrollment
  • $40,189net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1450SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.7Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Washington Seattle Campus
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W
Seattle, WA

University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 55,620enrollment
  • $11,023net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1453SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 16

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University of Denver
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D
Denver, CO

University of Denver

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Colorado

  • 13,387enrollment
  • $43,324net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Union College
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U
Schenectady, NY

Union College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,082enrollment
  • $42,884net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of California San Diego
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C
La Jolla, CA

University of California San Diego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in America

  • 42,376enrollment
  • $13,293net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
  • 3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Mount Holyoke College
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M
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $35,782net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Rhode Island School of Design
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,540enrollment
  • $42,106net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1540SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.71Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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