Best U.S. Colleges

CollegeSimply ranks 1045 four-year colleges across the U.S. using a data-driven methodology focused on academics, graduation rates, and selectivity. Only nonprofit schools that offer bachelor's degrees and admit students selectively are included.

Leading our 2027 rankings is Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, ranked #1 nationally. The top rated public university is University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Also highly ranked: Duke University, Stanford University and Harvard University.

Compare tuition, acceptance rates, and enrollment across the full list below. See how rankings are calculated on our methodology page. Filter by state or sort by cost and selectivity to build your shortlist.

1,045 Results
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Public Private 4 Year
Indiana University East Campus
 

  • Public 4 Year
  • Richmond, IN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 18 application deadline

IU East is a public regional campus of Indiana University known for undergraduate nursing, business, and education. The campus sits in Richmond near Indiana's border with Ohio.

#10 Best Public Universities in Indiana 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 960-1170
  • Avg GPA 3.41
  • Acceptance Rate 67%
  • Net Price $8,718
Details
Metropolitan State University of Denver Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Denver, CO
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jul 1 application deadline

MSU Denver is a public university known for undergraduate teacher education, aviation, and business. Most students commute to the shared Auraria Campus in downtown Denver.

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 880-1130
  • Avg GPA 3.03
  • Acceptance Rate 99%
  • Net Price $14,584
Details
Northern State University Campus
 

  • Public 4 Year
  • Aberdeen, SD
  • | 0 reviews

Northern State is a public university known for undergraduate education, business, and fine arts. The campus is in Aberdeen, a small city in northeastern South Dakota.

#5 Best Public Universities in South Dakota 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 980-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.37
  • Acceptance Rate 93%
  • Net Price $15,990
Details
Concordia University Ann Arbor Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Ann Arbor, MI
  • | 0 reviews

Concordia Ann Arbor is a private Lutheran university known for undergraduate education, nursing, and business. The campus sits along the Huron River in Ann Arbor.

#17 Best Private Colleges in Michigan 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.19
  • Acceptance Rate 69%
  • Net Price $31,080
Details
Austin Peay State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Clarksville, TN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 4 application deadline

Austin Peay is a public university known for undergraduate education and nursing. The Clarksville campus is close to Fort Campbell and draws many military-connected students.

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 843-1126
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $9,882
Details
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Edinburg, TX
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jul 1 application deadline

UTRGV is a large public university known for undergraduate nursing, health sciences, and engineering. Campuses span the Rio Grande Valley near the U.S.-Mexico border.

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 880-1090
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.16
  • Acceptance Rate 94%
  • Net Price $5,282
Details
The University of Texas at San Antonio Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • San Antonio, TX
  • 4.5 | 2 reviews
  • Jun 1 application deadline

UTSA is a large public university known for undergraduate cybersecurity and business. The main campus sits in northwest San Antonio near the Texas Hill Country.

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1000-1220
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.36
  • Acceptance Rate 87%
  • Net Price $10,959
Details
Angelo State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • San Angelo, TX
  • 4.0 | 1 reviews

Angelo State is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, education, and agriculture. The campus is in the West Texas city of San Angelo.

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 910-1150
  • Avg GPA 3.71
  • Acceptance Rate 83%
  • Net Price $14,048
Details
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Pine Bluff, AR
  • | 0 reviews

UAPB is a public historically Black university known for undergraduate aquaculture and agriculture. Students study on a residential campus in Pine Bluff in southeastern Arkansas.

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 845-1108
  • Avg GPA 2.9
  • Acceptance Rate 41%
  • Net Price $12,373
Details
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Natchitoches, LA
  • | 0 reviews

Northwestern State is a public university known for undergraduate nursing and education. The campus is in historic Natchitoches, a small city along the Cane River.

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 866-1163
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 93%
  • Net Price $13,134
Details
SUNY College of Technology at Canton Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Canton, NY
  • | 0 reviews

SUNY Canton is a public college of technology known for undergraduate nursing, engineering technology, and veterinary science technology. The residential campus sits in the small college town of Canton in northern New York.

#35 Best Public Universities in New York 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1000-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.0
  • Acceptance Rate 92%
  • Net Price $14,754
Details
Limestone University Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Gaffney, SC
  • | 0 reviews

Limestone is a private university known for undergraduate nursing, business, and education. The campus is in the small town of Gaffney in upstate South Carolina.

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 980-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.42
  • Acceptance Rate 97%
  • Net Price $19,369
Details
Corban University Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Salem, OR
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

Corban is a private Christian university known for undergraduate biblical studies, ministry, and education. The residential campus sits in Salem, Oregon's capital city.

#8 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1003-1165
  • Avg GPA 3.53
  • Acceptance Rate 94%
  • Net Price $27,119
Details
Arkansas State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Jonesboro, AR
  • | 0 reviews

Arkansas State is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, agriculture, and business. The campus is located in Jonesboro in northeast Arkansas.

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 970-1190
  • Avg GPA 3.66
  • Acceptance Rate 82%
  • Net Price $12,410
Details
Shorter University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Rome, GA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 25 application deadline

Shorter is a private Christian university known for undergraduate nursing, music, and education. The campus sits in the small city of Rome in northwest Georgia.

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1040-1200
  • Avg GPA 3.25
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $16,821
Details
California State University Los Angeles Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 19 application deadline

Cal State LA is a large public university known for undergraduate nursing, business, and criminal justice. The urban campus sits in the hills east of downtown Los Angeles.

#26 Best Public Universities in California 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 870-1060
  • Avg GPA 3.31
  • Acceptance Rate 91%
  • Net Price $4,460
Details
Rochester University Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Rochester Hills, MI
  • | 0 reviews

Rochester University is a private Christian university with undergraduate programs in business, nursing, and education. The suburban campus is in Rochester Hills in metro Detroit.

#18 Best Private Colleges in Michigan 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 840-1060
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.13
  • Acceptance Rate 98%
  • Net Price $21,611
Details
Lamar University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Beaumont, TX
  • 1.7 | 3 reviews

Lamar is a public university known for undergraduate engineering and nursing. The campus is located in Beaumont in southeast Texas.

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 930-1140
  • Avg GPA 3.4
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $9,814
Details