The Best College in Every State (2026)
What’s Covered:
Deciding where to go to college is a difficult choice. You need to consider factors like size, academic offerings, prestige, and location. We’re here to make your life a little easier. Below is a list of the best college in each state to help you sort through your options. Acceptance and SAT/ACT scores will help you figure out how competitive each school is, and the undergraduate enrollment will help you determine if the school is too big, too small, or just right.
If you don’t see a particular college on this list, you can check out our 50 state-specific posts with the top colleges in every state. Remember, choosing a college is a personal and difficult decision—there isn’t a right or wrong choice.
Our Ranking Methodology
Our list of the best college in each state mainly focuses on school quality, outcomes, and return on investment (ROI). It also considers a host of other factors, including retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance. You can find CollegeVine’s rankings in their entirety here.
Note: If you want to explore more top schools in each state, just click on the state name!
Best College in Each State
1. Alabama: University of Alabama | UA
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Middle 50% SAT: 110-1360
Middle 50% ACT: 22-30
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,389
As one of the best colleges in Alabama, the University of Alabama (UA) has a lot to brag about. The school is home to 1,260 National Merit Scholars and has been a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for nine of the past 11 years (15 University of Alabama students were awarded Fulbright Awards for 2025-2026). Overshadowing UA’s academics is its football team, which has won 18 National Championships (five since 2010).
Learn more about the University of Alabama and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Alaska: Alaska Pacific University
Location: Anchorage, AK
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Middle 50% SAT: NA
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 479
Alaska Pacific University (APU) is a small liberal arts college located in Anchorage, Alaska, that emphasizes experiential and active learning. APU was first called Alaska Methodist University (AMU) and renamed Alaska Pacific University in 1978. It remains a Methodist-affiliated institution and retains its commitment to its heritage of Alaska Native education, while emphasizing rigorous academics and challenging fieldwork in the arts and sciences.
Learn more about Alaska Pacific University and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Arizona: Arizona State University | ASU
Location: Tempe, AZ
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Middle 50% SAT: N/A
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 66,450
Arizona State University is Arizona’s flagship university. Its large main campus in Tempe offers an equally large selection of majors, with over 400 undergraduate degree tracks to choose from. ASU focuses on inclusion and innovation in its programs, while providing a customized education across multiple campuses and online. ASU also has world-class transdisciplinary research programs and empowering opportunities for entrepreneurs at the Edson E+I Institute.
Learn more about Arizona State University and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Arkansas: Ouachita Baptist University
Location: Arkadelphia, AR
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Middle 50% SAT: 1070-1280
Middle 50% ACT: 22-28
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,728
Ouachita Baptist University is a private Baptist university. The university’s name is taken from the Ouachita (pronounced WAH-shi-tah) River, which forms the eastern campus boundary. The school boasts a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 60 degree programs, mainly in liberal arts.
Ouachita doesn’t allow nationally affiliated social fraternities or sororities, but there are local fraternities and sororities, called “social clubs”, that approximately 45% of students participate in.
Learn more about Ouachita Baptist University and what it takes to get accepted.
5. California: Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1570
Middle 50% ACT: 34-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,904
One of CollegeVine’s top non-Ivy League schools, Stanford University is often called the “Ivy of the West.” In addition to its exceptional academics, Stanford is known for its ties to Silicon Valley and the incredible careers its graduates often enjoy. Google, Yahoo, and Instagram count Stanford alumni among their founders.
Learn more about Stanford University and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Colorado: University of Denver
Location: Denver, CO
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Middle 50% SAT: 1160-1360
Middle 50% ACT: 27-32
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,766
The University of Denver was established in 1864—just six years after the founding of Denver itself—and is the oldest independent institution of higher education in the Rocky Mountain region. The University of Denver puts the “high” in higher education: University Halls, the oldest building on campus, sits at exactly 5,280 feet (or a mile) above sea level. The university is well known for its study abroad programs, with more than 70% of undergraduates participating—one of the highest rates in the nation.
Learn more about the University of Denver and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Connecticut: Yale University
Location: New Haven, CT
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Middle 50% SAT: 1480-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,814
In addition to being the best school in Connecticut, Yale University is one of the oldest—it was founded in 1701—and one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Yale was also the first institution in the U.S. to award a PhD.
Yale is a member of the Ivy League, a collection of eight institutions renowned for their selective admissions, rigorous academics, and rich histories. Yale doesn’t have a core curriculum, which allows students to control their academic path.
Learn more about Yale University and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Delaware: University of Delaware
Location: Newark, DE
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Middle 50% SAT: 1220-1370
Middle 50% ACT: 28-32
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,287
The University of Delaware (UD) is the largest university in the state and a public land-grant research university. It offers over 150 different bachelor’s programs and a host of graduate programs.
UD offers the only undergraduate art conservation degree taught exclusively by professional conservators. In 1923, UD was the first American university to offer a study-abroad program, which today encompasses more than 40 countries—about one-third of undergraduates study abroad before completing their bachelor’s degrees.
Learn more about the University of Delaware and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Florida: University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, FL
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Middle 50% SAT: 1330-1470
Middle 50% ACT: 29-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 36,573
The University of Florida (UF) is a top public research university, a senior member of Florida’s State University System. The university offers over 150 undergraduate majors through its 14 undergraduate colleges and schools.
Some of its unique options at UF include combination degrees, which prepare students for careers in a fraction of the time of undergraduate plus graduate education. Another program is the Innovation Academy, which equips students with entrepreneurship and leadership skills through a rigorous experience.
Learn more about the University of Florida and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Georgia: Emory University
Location: Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Middle 50% SAT: 1480-1540
Middle 50% ACT: 32-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,407
Emory University is a selective private research university that offers highly selective honors programs for high-performing undergraduates in an extensive number of degree programs. Emory also has the 15th-largest endowment among U.S. colleges and universities and is classified as an R1: Doctoral Universities—meaning it has very high research activity.
The university also offers many opportunities to get involved with the local community, including a popular student organization called Volunteer Emory, which oversees community service activities.
Learn more about Emory University and what it takes to get accepted.
11. Hawaii: Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Location: Laie, HI
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Middle 50% SAT: 960-1190
Middle 50% ACT: 21-25
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,906
Operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) and founded in the mid-1950s, BYU-Hawaii includes not only intellectual learning and career preparation, but also moral, ethical, and spiritual enrichment.
Predominantly Mormon students come from more than 60 countries to an intercultural learning environment in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Students select academic programs from the faculty of :
- Faculty of Arts & Letters
- Business & Government
- Culture, Language & Performing Arts
- Education & Social Work
- Math & Computing
- Religious Education
- Science
All students must also enroll in Religious Education courses—14 credit hours are the standard required for graduation.
Learn more about Brigham Young University-Hawaii and what it takes to get accepted.
12. Idaho: The College of Idaho
Location: Caldwell, ID
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Middle 50% SAT: 1070-1280
Middle 50% ACT: 23-31
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,041
The College of Idaho boasts impressive alumni, including eight Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and one Pulitzer Prize winner. Through the college’s 4+4+4 curriculum, students take four classes per term, four days per week—allowing them to dive deeper into each course while keeping Fridays open to pursue their interests.
The College of Idaho also has a stellar outdoor program that leads week-long trips during the breaks between terms and after midterms.
Learn more about the College of Idaho and what it takes to get accepted.
13. Illinois: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 34-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,519
One of the defining characteristics of the University of Chicago is its core curriculum, the founding principle of which is to teach students how, not what, to think. The UChicago core curriculum includes coursework in the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and biological sciences, as well as a sequence in the historical development of a civilization.
Another notable aspect of the University of Chicago is its residential life—students are grouped into houses, each with its own traditions, a mascot, and shared values.
Learn more about the University of Chicago and what it takes to get accepted.
14. Indiana: University of Notre Dame
Location: Notre Dame, IN
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Middle 50% SAT: 1470-1540
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,880
Notre Dame was founded on Catholic principles, and that tradition continues today. Since 1842, the university has been at the forefront of scholarship and research. Undergraduates can choose among approximately 75 majors across eight colleges and schools.
Ranked in the top 25 on Collegevine’s list of best colleges, Notre Dame offers degrees at every level, while also taking advantage of small class sizes. Roughly a third of undergraduates are involved in research. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are famed for their performance on the football field and well beyond.
Learn more about the University of Notre Dame and what it takes to get accepted.
15. Iowa: Grinnell College
Location: Grinnell, IA
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Middle 50% SAT: 1430-1520
Middle 50% ACT: 31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,788
Grinnell is a private liberal arts college in Iowa known for its rigorous academics, innovative pedagogy, and commitment to social justice. Grinnell has one of the highest endowment-to-student ratios of liberal arts colleges, enabling need-blind admissions and substantial academic merit scholarships to boost socioeconomic diversity.
Grinnell is also one of the only colleges with an open curriculum that allows students to direct their own academic path.
Learn more about Grinnell College and what it takes to get accepted.
16. Kansas: University of Kansas
Location: Lawrence, KS
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Middle 50% SAT: 1080-1280
Middle 50% ACT: 20-28
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,544
The University of Kansas is a public research university known for its athletic teams, the Jayhawks, that compete in NCAA Division I sports. The men’s basketball team has won four national championships and the track and field teams have won seven titles over the years.
The Lawrence campus spans about 860 wooded acres and the university offers over 275 undergraduate fields of study.
Learn more about the University of Kansas and what it takes to get accepted.
17. Kentucky: Berea College
Location: Berea, KY
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Middle 50% SAT: 1156-1335
Middle 50% ACT: 23-28
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,527
Berea College is a private liberal arts work college in Kentucky. Founded in 1855, Berea College was the first college in the Southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated. Also very unique, Berea College charges no tuition! Every admitted student is provided the equivalent of a four-year scholarship.
Learn more about Berea College and what it takes to get accepted.
18. Louisiana: Tulane University
Location: New Orleans, LA
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Middle 50% SAT: 1430-1500
Middle 50% ACT: 32-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,839
Originally founded as a medical college in 1834, Tulane became the university it is today just 13 years later. Now, it continues its tradition of excellence. Offering 1,700 courses and 70 majors across five undergraduate schools, it takes students beyond the classroom—in fact, it was the first research university to require community service as part of its curriculum.
Students come from every state and from countries around the world to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. They gain experience outside of the classroom, too. For example, architecture students gain hands-on experience working with design and construction.
Learn more about Tulane University and what it takes to get accepted.
19. Maine: Bowdoin College
Location: Brunswick, ME
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Middle 50% SAT: 1470-1540
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,841
In addition to being one of the best colleges in Maine, Bowdoin is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. Bowdoin is also one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the U.S.—it was founded in 1794, a quarter-century before Maine gained its statehood. In 1969, Bowdoin became the first college in the country to offer test-optional admissions. Only about half of the students accepted in the 2025-2026 admissions cycle submitted test scores with their applications
Learn more about Bowdoin College and what it takes to get accepted.
20. Maryland: Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, MD
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Middle 50% SAT: 1530-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 34-36
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,356
Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) was the first research university in the U.S. Known for its medical school, JHU offers high-ranking programs in a variety of fields, including:
- Science
- Engineering
- International Studies
- Creative Writing
The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering comprise the undergraduate Homewood campus (along with graduate programs), and the nearby Peabody Conservatory is one of the top conservatories in the country.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Wolf Blitzer, Virginia Apgar, Michael R. Bloomberg, Rachel Carson, and Wes Craven are just some of the many notable graduates of this top-25 institution.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins University and what it takes to get accepted.
21. Massachusetts: Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, MA
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1580
Middle 50% ACT: 34-36
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,038
The oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and a brand name worldwide, Harvard is located in Cambridge—right across the river from Boston—and just a mile down the road from MIT.
Undergraduates choose from 50 concentrations (majors) and devote a third of their college coursework to distribution requirements, with opportunities to take graduate-level courses and cross-register at neighboring schools. Harvard also has the largest endowment of any academic institution in the country, not to mention an impressive roster of famous alumni.
Learn more about Harvard University and what it takes to get accepted.
22. Michigan: University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Middle 50% SAT: 1360-1530
Middle 50% ACT: 31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,454
This “Public Ivy” is the top-ranked public university on CollegeVine’s list of best colleges. Students choose among more than 280 degree programs across 19 individual colleges, including 14 undergraduate schools:
- Architecture & Urban Planning
- Art & Design
- Business
- Dentistry
- Education
- Engineering
- Information
- Kinesiology
- Literature, Science, and the Arts
- Music, Theatre, and Dance
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Public Policy
U Michigan is also renowned for its athletics and school spirit. During football season, over 100,000 adoring fans pack into the “Big House” to cheer on the Blue and Maize Wolverines
Learn more about the University of Michigan and what it takes to get accepted.
23. Minnesota: Carleton College
Location: Northfield, MN
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Middle 50% SAT: 1470-1540
Middle 50% ACT: 32-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,128
In addition to being one of the best colleges in Minnesota, Carleton College is also one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Carleton’s campus is a tight-knit community and an overwhelming percentage of students (over 95%) live on campus.
Class size is small at Carleton (it’s notable for its eight-to-one student-faculty ratio), allowing students to receive individualized attention and form bonds with their instructors. When it comes to unwinding, Carleton is fun—one of its most popular traditions is Rotblatt, an annual softball game in which an inning is played for every year that Carleton has existed.
Learn more about Carleton College and what it takes to get accepted.
24. Mississippi: Mississippi State University
Location: Mississippi State, MS
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Middle 50% SAT: 1100-1340
Middle 50% ACT: 21-29
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,567
Established in 1880, Mississippi State is the largest university in Mississippi. High-achieving students should consider the Shackouls Honors College. The university ranks highly for the number of engineering degrees it awards, and for its low cost. The Mississippi State Bulldogs compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Learn more about Mississippi State University and what it takes to get accepted.
25. Missouri: College of the Ozarks
Location: Point Lookout, MO
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Middle 50% SAT: 1050-1220
Middle 50% ACT: 20-25
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,454
The College of the Ozarks is a private Christian college that refers to itself as “Hard Work U”. The college charges no tuition for full-time students due to its student work program and donations. The program requires students to work 15 hours per week at an on-campus job site, along with two 40-hour workweeks during academic breaks.
Learn more about the College of the Ozarks and what it takes to get accepted.
26. Montana: Carroll College
Location: Helena, MT
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Middle 50% SAT: 1050-1300
Middle 50% ACT: 21-27
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,112
Carroll is a Catholic liberal arts college with a 63-acre campus on the outskirts of Helena, Montana’s state capital. Carroll College’s location affords students a wide range of academic, professional, and recreational opportunities, including internships at various federal, state, and local offices.
The location is also perfect for students who enjoy spending time outdoors, as world-class mountain biking and hiking are right outside the campus. Carroll College students will find numerous cultural experiences in Helena; the city is home to Holter Museum of Modern Art, the Helena Symphony, and the Montana Shakespeare Company, along with more traditional Montana activities like rodeos and dog sled races.
Learn more about Carroll College and what it takes to get accepted.
27. Nebraska: Creighton University
Location: Omaha, NE
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Middle 50% SAT: 1250-1410
Middle 50% ACT: 26-31
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,647
Creighton University is a private Jesuit institution founded in 1878 in Omaha, Nebraska. With more than 300 student organizations on campus, many students are involved in various student media outlets, including the newspaper, literary magazines, radio stations, and the thriving Greek community—more than 10 fraternities and sororities call campus home.
The Campus Ministry plays a significant role in students’ lives. Creighton offers ministry retreats and community service opportunities.
Learn more about Creighton University and what it takes to get accepted.
28. Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno
Location: Reno, NV
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Middle 50% SAT: 1070-1270
Middle 50% ACT: 19-26
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,895
The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university located in the Sierra Nevada foothills at the base of Lake Tahoe. The campus is home to the large-scale structures laboratory in the College of Engineering, which has put Nevada researchers at the forefront of national projects in a wide range of fields from civil engineering to earthquake and large-scale structure testing and modeling. The school’s sports teams, nicknamed the Wolf Pack, compete in the Mountain West Conference.
Learn more about the University of Nevada, Reno, and what it takes to get accepted.
29. New Hampshire: Dartmouth College
Location: Hanover, NH
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Middle 50% SAT: 1500-1570
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,570
Dartmouth is the smallest Ivy League school, but don’t be fooled by its diminutive Undergraduateuate class size because the school has a large number of offerings. The university is notable for its outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and incredible research opportunities—the Carnegie Foundation has classified Dartmouth as a university with “very high research activity.”
Dartmouth is also home to the nation’s oldest and largest outing club, which provides students the opportunity to explore and enjoy the beautiful natural landscape surrounding the school’s rural campus.
Learn more about Dartmouth College and what it takes to get accepted.
30. New Jersey: Princeton University
Location: Princeton, NJ
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Middle 50% SAT: 1460-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 32-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,422
Founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey to train ministers, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the country. It’s also one of the most prestigious. Princeton is a member of the Ivy League, a group of eight schools in the Northeast known for exceptional academics, super-selective admissions, and sterling reputations.
Often considered the quintessential Ivy League school, Princeton features a stately suburban ivy-lined campus, rich history, and unique traditions—for example, its eating clubs.
Learn more about Princeton University and what it takes to get accepted.
31. New Mexico: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | New Mexico Tech
Location: Socorro, NM
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Middle 50% SAT: 1040-1290
Middle 50% ACT: 19-27
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,217
New Mexico Tech is a relatively small, research- and teaching-oriented university focused on science and engineering. Federal funding allowed the university to purchase Playas, New Mexico, a former company town, as a field site.
Because of its especially strong research programs, the school offers numerous scholarships and unique research opportunities for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with a very high professor-to-student ratio of approximately 12:1.
Learn more about New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and what it takes to get accepted.
32. New York: Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, NY
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,128
Comprising nine undergraduate colleges and schools, this highly selective Ivy League university in rural, snowy Ithaca offers nearly 80 majors and over 120 minors to which students apply directly. Undergraduate colleges and schools include:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Architecture, Art and Planning
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
- Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science
- Cornell David A. Duttfield College of Engineering
- College of Human Ecology
- School of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
Learn more about Cornell University and what it takes to get accepted.
33. North Carolina: Duke University
Location: Durham, NC
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Middle 50% SAT: 1500-1570
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,523
Ibtihaj Muhammad, Timothy Cook, Melinda Gates, Ken Jeong, and William Styron are just a handful of the acclaimed alumni who graduated from Duke. Known as a “Southern Ivy,” the university is home to two undergraduate schools, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and Pratt School of Engineering, along with a host of graduate schools and programs.
Students have the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary topics, as well as research and explore creatively. In fact, more than half of undergraduates graduate with research experience.
Learn more about Duke University and what it takes to get accepted.
34. North Dakota: University of North Dakota | UND
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Middle 50% SAT: N/A
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,033
The University of North Dakota is home to the only law and medicine schools in the state. UND offers more than 225 fields of study. If that isn’t enough, students can elect to participate in an interdisciplinary program that allows them to obtain a degree in virtually any course of study. If you’re interested in Greek life, the fraternity and sorority community has a rich history at the University of North Dakota.
Learn more about the University of North Dakota and what it takes to get accepted.
35. Ohio: Case Western Reserve University
Location: Cleveland, OH
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Middle 50% SAT: 1450-1530
Middle 50% ACT: 32-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,534
One of the most prestigious colleges in the country and one of the best colleges in Ohio, Case Western Reserve offers almost 100 majors in fields ranging from accounting to world literature; however, it’s perhaps best known for its Case School of Engineering.
Case Western has produced a number of distinguished alumni, including the creator of Gmail, the founder of Craigslist, and 16 Nobel laureates.
Learn more about Case Western Reserve University and what it takes to get accepted.
36. Oklahoma: University of Tulsa
Location: Tulsa, OK
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Middle 50% SAT: 1223-1530
Middle 50% ACT: 25-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,852
The University of Tulsa has many unique attributes and is home to many traditions. For starters, it manages the Gilcrease Museum, which includes one of the largest collections of American Western art and indigenous American artifacts in the world. The Kendall Bell, now housed in Bayless Plaza, is traditionally rung by graduating seniors upon completion of their last final exam at the university, and there is a huge bonfire at homecoming games.
If you are looking to get involved with student organizations, the university offers over 150 options, ranging from intramural sports to cultural clubs to Greek life.
Learn more about the University of Tulsa and what it takes to get accepted.
37. Oregon: Reed College
Location: Portland, OR
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Middle 50% SAT: 1310-1490
Middle 50% ACT: 30-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,346
Founded in 1908, Reed College is a small, coeducational, liberal arts institution in Portland, Oregon. Students will not find the traditional college staples: Greek organizations, varsity sports, or course grades at Reed College. Instead, students can choose from over 90 student-led organizations and compete on intramural or club sports teams.
With no course grades and only pass/fail grades assigned, the school does not have a dean’s list or honor roll, alleviating the pressure and anxieties grades can create. Courses tend to be rigorous, as Reed College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. However, there is still fun to be had—downtown Portland is about five miles from campus, and students can enjoy the great Oregon outdoors.
Learn more about Reed College and what it takes to get accepted.
38. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania | UPenn
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1570
Middle 50% ACT: 34-36
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,013
UPenn is an Ivy League school that consistently ranks among the top ten universities in the nation. One of the most renowned schools at the university is the Wharton School of Business, with notable alumni including Elon Musk and Warren Buffett.
UPenn boasts top-tier academic programs, but it’s also often referred to as ‘the social ivy’ because of its lively student body. With its urban location in Philadelphia, UPenn gives students access to vibrant bars, restaurants, museums, art galleries, and parks. While some view Penn as a safety Ivy, others view it as a unique school that promotes a healthy balance of academic and social life.
Learn more about the University of Pennsylvania and what it takes to get accepted.
39. Rhode Island: Brown University
Location: Providence, RI
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 34-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,910
Founded in 1764, Brown is another Ivy League institution with a long and storied history. Known for its unconventional approach to education, Brown’s “Open Curriculum” allows students to develop their own core curriculum and explore more than 80 academic concentrations before choosing to focus on a particular field of study.
Brown’s picturesque 150-acre campus is within easy walking distance of downtown Providence and provides easy access to the vibrant Thayer Street, which offers numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Learn more about Brown University and what it takes to get accepted.
40. South Carolina: Clemson University
Location: Clemson, SC
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Middle 50% SAT: 1250-1400
Middle 50% ACT: 29-30
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,401
South Carolina’s most well-renowned university pairs a friendly campus culture with top-notch educational resources, research, and football games. Clemson excels at the sciences, offering top-tier degree programs and research opportunities in agriculture, forestry, education, and social sciences, among others.
Campus life at Clemson is lively—a strong school spirit permeates the school and encourages active participation in campus affairs.
Learn more about Clemson University and what it takes to get accepted.
41. South Dakota: Augustana University
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Middle 50% SAT: 1190-1348
Middle 50% ACT: 23-28
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,003
Augustana University is a private Lutheran university in Sioux Falls. The university’s curriculum is based on a calendar divided into two 15-week semesters, with an interim period during January where students can take classes. Students are known for studying abroad, with an average of over 50% participating in study abroad programs.
Learn more about Augustana University and what it takes to get accepted.
42. Tennessee: Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, TN
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 34-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,221
Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. Set in urban Nashville and spread across over 333 acres of space for students to explore, Vanderbilt has plenty of off-campus options to enjoy. This includes dining, shopping, music, and entertainment. Greek organizations play a significant role on campus, with approximately half of undergraduates affiliated with Greek life.
In terms of academics, Vanderbilt comprises 11 schools and colleges covering disciplines from the humanities to music to engineering. The school is known for its close-knit residential education and experiential learning in the classroom and beyond. Vanderbilt University is ranked 18th on Collegevine’s list of best colleges, so you know the academics are challenging but rewarding.
Learn more about Vanderbilt University and what it takes to get accepted.
43. Texas: Rice University
Location: Houston, TX
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1560
Middle 50% ACT: 34-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,789
Rice University is one of the handful of prestigious universities and colleges in the South commonly referred to as the “Southern Ivies.” Rivaling the prestige, academic excellence, and competitive admissions of its northern Ivy League counterparts, Rice was even founded by a Massachusetts-born businessman. William Marsh Rice chartered the school as a gift to the city of Houston, where he made his fortune. Similar to other top-ranked universities, Rice is known for its low student-to-faculty ratio, rigorous academics, and close-knit community.
Learn more about Rice University and what it takes to get accepted.
44. Utah: Brigham Young University | BYU
Location: Provo, UT
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Middle 50% SAT: 1290-1440
Middle 50% ACT: 28-32
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,952
A Brigham Young education is intellectually engaging, character-building, and spiritually strengthening. The majority of BYU students are Mormon, a faith tradition that colors campus culture and degree programs. A College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, on-campus museums, a culture of dating for marriage, and more make Utah’s most well-known university one of a kind.
Learn more about Brigham Young University and what it takes to get accepted.
45. Vermont: Middlebury College
Location: Middlebury, VT
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Middle 50% SAT: 1460-1530
Middle 50% ACT: 31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,653
Founded in 1800 as the first operating college or university in Vermont, Middlebury is one of the best liberal arts schools in the country, particularly famed for immersive language study. It is a leader in study abroad and offers programs across the liberal arts at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Middlebury is also home to the renowned Breadloaf Conference, one of the world’s oldest writers’ conferences.
Diversity, environmental sustainability, tradition, and excellence in pedagogy are core values and missions at Middlebury. The school is also committed to fostering lifelong learning skills in students.
Learn more about Middlebury College and what it takes to get accepted.
46. Virginia: Washington and Lee University
Location: Lexington, VA
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Middle 50% SAT: 1430-1530
Middle 50% ACT: 33-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,916
Washington and Lee, located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, is the 9th-oldest college in the U.S. This top-ranked university is distinguished by a student-run Honor System that encourages students to take responsibility for themselves as citizens, peers, and leaders in a community of roughly 1,900 undergraduates. Students who attend Washington and Lee enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors.
Learn more about Washington and Lee University and what it takes to get accepted.
47. Washington: University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Middle 50% SAT: 1333-1500
Middle 50% ACT: 28-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,754
The University of Washington was founded in 1861 as the Territorial University of Washington. Although the University of Washington is among the best colleges in Washington today, it almost didn’t make it. The university closed four times in its first 15 years. Not helping the college in its early years was its choice of nicknames—the Sun Dodgers—a nod to the region’s notoriously gray weather.
Gloomy weather has done little to deter the enthusiasm of University of Washington students; however, it’s where the Wave was invented (spectators rising in unison mimicking the motion of a wave) and is home to one of the loudest college football stadiums in the nation.
Learn more about the University of Washington and what it takes to get accepted.
48. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University
Location: Washington, D.C.
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Middle 50% SAT: 1400-1540
Middle 50% ACT: 31-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,833
Georgetown’s location in the U.S. capital is one reason for its prestigious political science and international relations programs. A mere walk away from the political heart of the country, Georgetown also offers exceptional internship opportunities for students interested in working in the nation’s capital.
With over 250 student clubs and organizations, many of which focus on service, Georgetown is true to its Jesuit traditions of cura personalis, meaning a profound care and responsibility for others.
Learn more about Georgetown University and what it takes to get accepted.
49. West Virginia: West Virginia University | WVU
Location: Morgantown, WV
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Middle 50% SAT: 1010-1210
Middle 50% ACT: 20-26
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,206
West Virginia University is organized into 12 academic colleges and schools offering over 300 majors. WVU is affiliated with the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, dedicated to the study of Alzheimer’s and other diseases that affect the brain.
If you’re interested in the FBI, this could be a good place to study. Forensics and Investigative Science is a nationally recognized program at WVU, created through a partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Learn more about West Virginia University and what it takes to get accepted.
50. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison | Wisconsin
Location: Madison, WI
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Middle 50% SAT: 1370-1490
Middle 50% ACT: 29-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 39,083
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a top-ranked public university known for its rigorous academics and competitive athletics. The school fields more than 20 NCAA Division I teams and competes in the Big Ten Conference.
Beyond athletics, students can choose from nearly 1,000 on-campus organizations, along with an active Greek life and vibrant social scene—contributing to Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country.
Learn more about the University of Wisconsin-Madison and what it takes to get accepted.
51. Wyoming: University of Wyoming
Location: Laramie, WY
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Middle 50% SAT: 1040-1265
Middle 50% ACT: 20-27
Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,130
The University of Wyoming (UW) is a public land-grant research university in Laramie. Classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity,” it offers nearly 100 bachelor’s degree programs.
Sitting at 7,220 feet above sea level, the University of Wyoming is the highest public university in the country and provides exceptional access to outdoor adventure.
Learn more about the University of Wyoming and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
Wondering what your odds are of admission at one of these great schools? CollegeVine can help. Our free chancing engine uses quantitative data like grades and standardized test scores, along with qualitative factors such as extracurricular activities, awards, and achievements, to predict your odds of acceptance at hundreds of schools across the country.
Remember, too, that it’s important to build a balanced school list, including safety, reach, and target schools. The CollegeVine chancing engine can also help you determine which schools fall into which category for you.
