The Best Midwestern Colleges

The Best Colleges in the Midwest for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the Midwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in the Midwest is University of Chicago. The top rated public state college is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Midwest Public Private 4 year

254 results

William Penn University
W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $22,361net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Northwest Missouri State University
N
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,664enrollment
  • $15,497net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Southwest Minnesota State University
S
Marshall, MN
 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 7,324enrollment
  • $14,839net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 935-1102SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Upper Iowa University
U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Missouri Southern State University
M
Joplin, MO
 

Missouri Southern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 4,090enrollment
  • $11,264net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Indiana University South Bend
I
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 4,446enrollment
  • $8,090net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Lourdes University
L
Sylvania, OH
 

Lourdes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $22,614net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Tiffin University
T
Tiffin, OH
 

Tiffin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,598enrollment
  • $24,516net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 870-1120SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Crown College
C
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $27,196net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Southeast Missouri State University
S
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,686enrollment
  • $14,843net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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University of Wisconsin Parkside
W
Kenosha, WI

University of Wisconsin Parkside

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 4,008enrollment
  • $8,778net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Missouri Baptist University
M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Missouri Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 5,641enrollment
  • $26,117net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 910-1170SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Youngstown State University
Y
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 11,040enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Culver Stockton College
C
Canton, MO
 

Culver Stockton College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $22,103net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1080SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Black Hills State University
B
Spearfish, SD

Black Hills State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,475enrollment
  • $16,474net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1085SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.22Estimated Avg GPA

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Missouri Valley College
M
Marshall, MO

Missouri Valley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,619enrollment
  • $18,396net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA

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Central State University
C
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 3,454enrollment
  • $14,821net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 770-950SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA

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Southwest Baptist University
S
Bolivar, MO
 

Southwest Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 2,155enrollment
  • $19,781net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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