College Raptor’s 2025 Best Colleges Rankings have arrived! These lists highlight top colleges and universities across the United States. We know that each student has unique considerations in what they are looking for in a school and we encourage students to use these rankings as a jumping off point in building their own “best colleges” list.

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

Top 50 Best Colleges in the US

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is the most prestigious rankings list that College Raptor releases. Updated annually, these schools have reputations of rich histories, gorgeous campuses, incredible academic programs, and amazing students. What Does Top 50 Mean? The 50 colleges on this list are considered the top schools in the United States …

Top 25 Best Colleges for Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has gained significant traction in the business world, transforming industries and driving demand for skilled professionals. As a result, colleges have begun offering AI degrees and certification programs. What Does AI Do? AI technology enables computers and various machines to simulate human intelligence. Its applications are diverse and expanding rapidly. Currently, AI …

Top 25 Best Nursing Schools in the US

If you love helping others, want variety in your work day, and want diverse opportunities, nursing can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. And, nurse practitioners are one of the fast growing occupations right now with a 45% growth rate (between 2022-32)! For the purposes of this list, we not only considered the overall excellence …

Top 25 Best D2 Colleges

Most universities in the United States offer athletic programs for their students. Division II, or D2, is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). D2 colleges offer athletic scholarships to some of their student-athletes, but typically have fewer awards available compared to D1 colleges. For students who are interested in continuing to play …

Top 25 Best D3 Colleges

Almost all colleges and universities in the United States offer some sort of athletic program. Division III, or D3, is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)  These are colleges and universities that do not offer athletic scholarships to their student-athletes. For students who are interested in participating in sports at a high …

Top 25 Best Public Colleges in the US

Some of the top colleges in the country are public schools. With the rising cost of college, public colleges and universities offer a cost-effective option for students. Public colleges provide quality education paired with large and diverse student populations and boast many academic programs and student resources. Known for their student organizations, internship opportunities, and …

Top 25 Best Private Colleges in the US

Rich with history, some of the best private colleges have also produced equally historic alumni. Providing top-tier education, these academic powerhouses and their distinguished faculty provide best-in-class education for their student body. Best Private Colleges in the US What is a Private College? Private colleges tend to be independent, nonprofit institutions funded through tuition, endowments, …

Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges in the US

A liberal arts education can best be described as “well-rounded.” Liberal arts colleges focus on the study of humanities, sciences, and social sciences – and there are plenty of amazing liberal arts colleges in the United States. Top 25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges What is a Liberal Arts College? A liberal arts college is an …

Top 25 Research Colleges in the US

At the height of academia are the research colleges. These schools give both students and faculty the opportunity to participate in hands-on, groundbreaking research and in turn the potential to make incredible advancements in the sciences. And in fact, they do. Every single year. What is a Research College? Research colleges refer to schools that …

Top 25 Best Small Colleges in the US

Love the idea of a small class size and campus? Then a small college may be right for you! Attending one of these top best small colleges affords its students the opportunity to join a tight-knit community and a unique opportunity for your voice to be heard. For this ranking list, we counted any college …

Top 25 Best Mid-Sized Colleges in the US

Not too small and not too big, mid-sized colleges bring a good medium for students who want to experience the best of both worlds. The list of the top 25 best mid-sized colleges below contains schools that have between 3,000 and 9,999  total students enrolled – so, this includes undergraduates and graduate students. Top 25 …

Top 25 Best Large Colleges in the US

Big, beautiful campuses, large student populations, lots of clubs and sports, and loads of academic opportunities are all characteristics of this year’s top 25 best large colleges. These powerhouse schools are some of the most well-known in the US and bring tons of benefits for students and faculty alike. For the purposes of the list, …

Top 25 Best Colleges in New England

New England is home to some of the oldest colleges and universities in the United States. So, it’s no surprise that it’s home to some of the best schools in the country, too. From its rich history to its amazing scenery, New England offers a unique experience to its students. The states we include in …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Mid-East US

From New York to DC, there are some of the country’s oldest and best schools in the mid-East. The area itself is known for its history, vibrant cities, cultural diversity, and educational and professional opportunities. The top 25 best colleges in the mid-East United States rankings include schools from New York, Delaware, DC, Maryland, New …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Southeast US

The Southeast is often what people think of when they say “The South.” Schools in these states are some of the oldest in the country, dating back to the Civil War and even before in many cases. For our top 25 best colleges in the Southeast United States rankings, we’ve included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Plains Region

America’s heartland has a lot to offer — beautiful scenery, booming industry, vast farmlands, and fantastic colleges. In fact, some of the very best colleges in the US are located in the plains region. For this list, we’re including the following states in the plains region: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Superior, Erie, Michigan, Huron, and Ontario make up the 5 Great Lakes that border the United States and Canada. While the region is well-known for its mighty bodies of water, the colleges in the area are equally impressive. The best colleges Great Lakes list encompass the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Top …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Rocky Mountain Region

Also known as the Rockies, the Rocky Mountain region of the United States is breathtaking – and plenty of outstanding colleges and universities call the mountains and the valleys home. For this 25 best colleges in the Rocky Mountains list, we’ve included: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Top 25 Best Colleges in the Rocky …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Southwest US

When you think of the southwest, you likely think of Westerns and deserts, and it’s true, there are deserts in the region. However, the region has so much to offer students and visitors. The southwest region of the United States is home to sweeping vistas, snow capped mountains, and stunning wildlife – and some of …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Far West US

The western United States has some of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and foods in the country. Not to mention the area has a strong reputation for business acumen, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship. And of course, they have some amazing colleges and universities. For this top 25 list, we’ve included the best colleges from …

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