Best Colleges 2023

Rankings for the Majors and Campus Settings You Want

There’s no single college that’s right for every student. We know that. So we crunched the data to find the best schools by region, academic interests and more.

Best Public Colleges

These nationally competitive public colleges offer a top-value education for in-state students.
  • Binghamton University

    Vestal, NY

  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo, CA

  • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

    Pomona, CA

Best Colleges in the South

The South is home to top-rated public universities and prestigious private colleges.
  • Berea College

    Berea, KY

  • Centre College

    Danville, KY

  • Citadel Military College of South Carolina

    Charleston, SC

Best Colleges in the Midwest

Small liberal arts schools and big-city research universities both stand out in the Midwest.
  • Albion College

    Albion, MI

  • Bradley University

    Peoria, IL

  • Carleton College

    Northfield, MN

Best Colleges in the West

The Best in the West list is dominated by California-based colleges.
  • California Institute of Technology

    Pasadena, CA

  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo, CA

  • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

    Pomona, CA

Best Colleges in the Northeast

Many of the country’s most recognizable colleges are in the Northeast.
  • Amherst College

    Amherst, MA

  • Babson College

    Wellesley, MA

  • Barnard College

    New York, NY

Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates

A college doesn’t have to be exclusive to be a great investment.
  • Albion College

    Albion, MI

  • Bradley University

    Peoria, IL

  • California State University Maritime Academy

    Vallejo, CA