College Raptor's 2023 Best Colleges Rankings

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the United States is the most prestigious rankings list College Raptor releases annually. Schools featured on this list are the best of the best when it comes to higher education. With rich histories, gorgeous campuses, and incredible academic programs, these schools are phenomenal institutions. After thoroughly analyzing every college …

It’s no secret that college can be expensive. But that doesn’t mean “not affordable.” This year, College Raptor ranked our top 25 most affordable colleges for the middle class. We rank the most affordable colleges, based on the estimated net price at each institution for a “typical” middle-class family. We defined our “typical” middle-class family …

If you are a student looking to go to a college far, far away from home, this Top 25 Geographically Diverse College rankings list is for you. This list is based on colleges and universities with a higher level of geographical diversity. That means the schools have students who come from a wider variety of …

The United States is a melting pot of different cultures and religions, and for many, religion is an important part of their life. Hundreds of universities and colleges across the United States were founded with religious affiliation, and many have held onto those roots. They have the ethics and belief system of their religion built …

Some of the greatest colleges in the country are public schools. These colleges are government-funded, tend to have larger and more diverse student bodies, and are filled with opportunities galore. Known for their student organizations, internship opportunities, intramural sports, public colleges also have many academic resources. This top 25 list puts the spotlight on the …

Many of the best colleges in America are private; many are even household names. Rich with history, the best private colleges can go on to produce equally historic alumni. Private colleges tend to be nonprofit institutions that are funded internally through endowments and donations. Because of this, private colleges offer some of the highest financial …

The epitome of the term “well-rounded” is a liberal arts education. The Liberal Arts encompass a wide array of disciplines — from English to Business to Psychology. Lib arts colleges encourage students to explore subjects outside of their major and have a truly holistic education. Liberal arts colleges also typically have smaller student bodies, which …

At the height of academia are the research colleges. These schools put a lot of emphasis on research from both students and faculty. Many of America’s best universities and colleges fall under the research title. They make incredible advancements in the sciences every single year. With top-notch resources, programs, and professors, the universities and colleges …

Small but mighty defines the colleges on this list well. A small college means a tight-knit community and plenty of chances for your voice to be heard. Some of the nation’s best schools are considered small! For the purpose of this ranking list, we counted any college with fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students as small. …

Small and large schools get a lot of attention on rankings lists—but what about colleges that fall in the middle? Mid-sized colleges offer the best of both worlds. These schools offer a diverse range of students to meet and plenty of opportunities to take advantage of, but you don’t have to worry about getting lost …

These 25 powerhouse schools are as impressive as they are huge. Big colleges are some of the most well-known across the country. With so many students, you’re bound to find a spirited community and lots of academic opportunities. For the purposes of the list, we count large colleges as having over 10,000 undergraduate students enrolled. …

New England is known for many things. Like its gorgeous landscape, Colonial American history, and, of course, for incredible colleges. In fact, some of the schools in New England are older than the foundation of the country! For this list, we’re considering the following states to be part of New England: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New …

Also known as the mid-Atlantic, the mid-east region of the United States is chock full of culture, history, great food, and amazing educational opportunities. Perhaps that’s unsurprising as many of the nation’s very first colleges and universities were built in the area. For this list, the following states are part of the mid-east US: Delaware, …

The south is known for a lot of things. Delicious southern food, heart-warming southern hospitality, and quality southern education. Some of the best US colleges are found in the southeast region. For the purposes of this list, we’re considering the following states as part of the Southeast: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North …

The heartland is so much more than just “flyover country.” The plains are home to booming industry, gorgeous farmlands, and incredible colleges. In fact, some of the very best colleges in the US are located in the plains. For this list, we’re including the following states in the plains region: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, …

Superior, Erie, Michigan, Huron, and Ontario are collectively known as the Great Lakes. They also share that name with the region in the US. The Great Lakes region is well-known for its mighty bodies of water, but the colleges in the area are equally impressive. For this list, the following states are included in the …

The Rocky Mountains are as impressive as the states they span. Also known as the Rockies, this range offer beautiful vistas, unique wildlife, challenging hikes, and great skiing, but the states also offer amazing schools and educational opportunities. For this list, we’re including the following states in the Rocky Mountain region: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, …

When you hear “Southwest” what do you think of? Deserts and western movies? If so, it’s time to redefine. The Southwest has some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes, from canyons to snowy mountains. The Southwest is also home to a range of great colleges and universities. For this list, we’ve included the following …

The far west US has some of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and foods from anywhere else in the country. Maybe that’s not surprising as the region spans from the northernmost to the southernmost points in the US. Likewise, they also have a diverse array of spectacular colleges, too. For this top 25 list, …