2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry	63.28	1,310 – 1,430	19644	48327	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NY Commonly chosen majors and programs at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry include Conservation Biology, Natural Resources Management and Policy, and Environmental Biology....Read more Acceptance Rate 63.3% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $19,644 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,327
2	Maine Maritime Academy	56.06	1,100 – 1,260	21433	93944	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME Located on a peninsula on the Bagaduce River and Penobscot Bay, the Maine Maritime Academy is a non-federal maritime training school. Students aren’t required to join the military after graduation. Many study Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer. A fairly selective school, 30% of those accepted enroll. Acceptance Rate 56.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $21,433 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $93,944
3	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	92.81	1,100 – 1,290	21041	60168	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC The Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a senior military college that got its start as an arsenal in 1822. It became an academy in 1843 and some of its buildings were burned during the Civil War. The Citadel awards up to Post-master's certificates, and many students are studying Business/Commerce, General. Acceptance Rate 92.8% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $21,041 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,168
4	Virginia Military Institute	71.25	1,110 – 1,330	17229	63545	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Abraham Lincoln called the Virginia Military Institute the “West Point of the South.” Located on the Maury River in the Shenandoah Valley, 562 athletes (the Keydets) compete in the NCAA Division I-FCS Big South Conference. Moe the Kangaroo cheers them on. Acceptance Rate 71.3% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,229 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,545
5	St. Mary's College of Maryland	68.63	1,160 – 1,350	20679	52286	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, MD Founded in 1840, St. Mary’s College of Maryland was originally known as St. Mary’s Female Seminary. It shares its campus with Historic St. Mary’s City, which was the state’s first colony and capital. A majority of students attending today are female, but the school has been co-educational since 1949. Acceptance Rate 68.6% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $20,679 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,286
6	Massachusetts Maritime Academy	72.07	1,040 – 1,200	20759	80424	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA The second oldest state maritime academy in the country, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy was founded in 1891. Its motto is “Discipline, Knowledge, Leadership.” Students train on the USTS Kennedy and select one of the 7 programs. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is the most popular. Acceptance Rate 72.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $20,759 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $80,424
7	Truman State University	83.77	1,210 – 1,400	12798	43966	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Truman State University Kirksville, MO Originally known as the North Missouri Normal and Commercial School when founded in 1867, the school was renamed the Truman State University (TSU) in 1996 after U.S. President Harry Truman. Athletes, wearing purple and white, are known as the Bulldogs....Read more Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $12,798 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,966
8	SUNY Maritime College	72.42	1,130 – 1,300	20398	83439	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges SUNY Maritime College Throggs Neck, NY SUNY Maritime College, founded in 1847, is located about 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. Students at SUNY Maritime College can "Chart Your Own Course," which means they can choose from one of two different experiences—the Traditional Lifestyle (a more traditional campus experience) or the Regiment Lifestyle (preparing cadets......Read more Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $20,398 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $83,439
9	California State University Maritime Academy	98.73	930 – 1,210	16081	84676	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo, CA Cal Maritime is one of the 23 campuses that make up the California State University system. Students learn on a training ship, known as the “Golden Bear,” that serves as a floating classroom and laboratory. Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer is the most popular area of study out of 7 programs. Acceptance Rate 98.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,081 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $84,676
10	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus	82.52	970 – 1,220	11290	62979	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA The University of Washington, Tacoma campus sits in the historic Union Station District, with views of Mount Rainier and the Port of Tacoma. The school offers up to Doctor's degrees and follows a quarter academic schedule....Read more Acceptance Rate 82.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $11,290 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
11	SUNY Polytechnic Institute	78.44	1,160 – 1,330	14646	58662	#11 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NY Found in Utica, SUNY Polytechnic Institute accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications. About 89% of students attending SUNY Polytechnic Institute currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Acceptance Rate 78.4% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $14,646 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,662
12	University of New Hampshire at Manchester	87.33	1,050 – 1,180	13097	53671	#12 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH The University of New Hampshire at Manchester has programs that focus on urban issues. Two popular majors include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Business/Commerce, and General. According to the UNH Manchester website, it has a 94% placement rate for graduates....Read more Acceptance Rate 87.3% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,097 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,671
13	University of Minnesota-Morris	74.93	1,040 – 1,240	9539	43163	#13 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, MN Based in Morris, the University of Minnesota-Morris’s acceptance rate is 75% and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. About 95% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Acceptance Rate 74.9% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,539 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,163
14	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	85.25	1,180 – 1,350	20243	62863	#14 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD Located in Rapid City, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 77% of students attending South Dakota School of Mines and Technology currently receive......Read more Acceptance Rate 85.3% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $20,243 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,863
15	University of Illinois Springfield	84.37	1,040 – 1,240	9241	47432	#15 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three in the University of Illinois system and is located in the state's capitol city. U of I offers 46 degree programs with Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, and General being the most sought after....Read more Acceptance Rate 84.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,241 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,432
16	Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts	92.35	960 – 1,180	17705	36803	#16 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, MA Business Administration and Management, General is a commonly chosen area of study at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The school is non selective and offers rolling admissions. Murdock the Mountain Lion cheers on the Trailblazers who play in Ice Hockey, Soccer, and Basketball, among others. Acceptance Rate 92.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $17,705 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,803
17	University of Maine at Farmington	96.72	1,000 – 1,250	15383	31513	#17 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges University of Maine at Farmington Farmington, ME The University of Maine at Farmington opened in 1864, originally known as the Western State Normal School. It underwent several name changes over the following century. The school newspaper is “The Farmington Flyer,” and the Beavers wear maroon, gold, and gray, and compete in the North Atlantic Conference. Acceptance Rate 96.7% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $15,383 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,513
18	Salem State University	95.57	1,020 – 1,180	19324	48209	#18 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges Salem State University Salem, MA Salem State University is a public university located just 30 minutes from Boston. Offering 73 degree programs, the most popular are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration....Read more Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,324 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,209
19	University of Minnesota-Crookston	87.81	1,010 – 1,180	13442	51905	#19 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Public Colleges University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, MN Based in Crookston, the University of Minnesota-Crookston’s acceptance rate is 88%. They request $30 for undergraduate applications and . About 87% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 87.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,442 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,905