2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference

Home
College Rankings
Overall Ranking
Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

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.

Sort by:

View as:

Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Stanford University	7904	3.61	1,510 – 1,570	25078	102887	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Stanford University Stanford, CA Stanford University is a private college that goes by a Quarter academic calendar rather than a Semester. Alumni have included Fulbright Scholars, members of Congress, astronauts, and billionaires, as well as former President Herbert Hoover. Known as the Stanford Cardinals, athletes wear cardinal and white....Read more Undergraduates 7,904 Acceptance Rate 3.6% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $25,078 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $102,887
2	Duke University	6523	5.71	1,500 – 1,560	21981	85792	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Duke University Durham, NC Methodists and Quakers founded Duke University in 1838. The school has produced 50 Rhodes Scholars, three Turing Award winners, and 15 Noble laureates. Known as the Blue Devils, the university’s colors are Duke blue and white....Read more Undergraduates 6,523 Acceptance Rate 5.7% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $21,981 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $85,792
3	University of Virginia-Main Campus	17885	16.81	1,420 – 1,540	18427	72359	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Thomas Jefferson founded The University of Virginia, and the school’s Board of Visitors also included James Monroe and James Madison. The school's well known for its secret societies and sport accomplishments. The Cavaliers, who wear orange and blue, have over 30 championship wins. Undergraduates 17,885 Acceptance Rate 16.8% SAT Score 1,420 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $18,427 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $72,359
4	Boston College	10314	16.43	1,450 – 1,540	32519	85717	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA A private Jesuit research university, Boston College’s motto is Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν, Greek for “Ever to Excel.” Their athletes, known as the Eagles, wear maroon and gold and are cheered on by Baldwin the Eagle. Past students include John F. Kerry, Leonard Nimoy, Chris O’Donnell, and Amy Poehler. Undergraduates 10,314 Acceptance Rate 16.4% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $32,519 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $85,717
5	University of California-Berkeley	33070	10.98	1,330 – 1,540	16538	74919	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA The University of California, Berkeley was the state’s first land-grant university and the first campus in the school system. The California Golden Bears, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, have won over 110 team titles. With a 97% first year retention rate, 82% go on to graduate within four years, 94% within six. Undergraduates 33,070 Acceptance Rate 11.0% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $16,538 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $74,919
6	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	20885	15.34	1,350 – 1,520	10154	57057	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship of the state’s school system. Enrolling students in 1795, it’s also one of the oldest public schools in the United States. UNC became coeducational in 1877 and began admitting African-American graduate students in 1951. Undergraduates 20,885 Acceptance Rate 15.3% SAT Score 1,350 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $10,154 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,057
7	Wake Forest University	5490	21.67	1,430 – 1,510	24401	67722	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Based in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University accepts 22% of applicants. They require $85 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 34% of students at Wake Forest University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 5,490 Acceptance Rate 21.7% SAT Score 1,430 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $24,401 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,722
8	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	20591	14.07	1,370 – 1,530	15918	89432	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA Also referred to as Georgia Tech, the Georgia Institute of Technology was founded in 1885 as part of the Reconstruction plans post-Civil War. At first, it only provided degrees in Mechanical Engineering. By 1901, it also offered Chemical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering....Read more Undergraduates 20,591 Acceptance Rate 14.1% SAT Score 1,370 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $15,918 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $89,432
9	University of Miami	13250	18.9	1,340 – 1,480	45397	61508	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Miami Coral Gables, FL The University of Miami is extremely selective and has a first year retention rate of 94%. With 183 available majors and programs, Law is a common choice. The school’s library system has over 4 million volumes, 4 million microforms, and 1.6 million electronic books. Undergraduates 13,250 Acceptance Rate 18.9% SAT Score 1,340 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $45,397 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,508
10	Southern Methodist University	7285	63.35	1,360 – 1,500	48179	65556	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Southern Methodist University is a private doctoral/research university that was founded in 1911. It also has a satellite campus in New Mexico. Alumni include Laura Bush, Powers Boothe, and Kathy Bates, as well as astronauts, scientists, politicians, and writers. 67% of students receive institutional grant aid. Undergraduates 7,285 Acceptance Rate 63.4% SAT Score 1,360 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $48,179 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,556
11	Florida State University	32720	24.22	1,300 – 1,420	15815	49814	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Florida State University opened as the Florida Institute in 1854. A NCAA Division I-FBS school and competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Seminoles have brought home several national championships....Read more Undergraduates 32,720 Acceptance Rate 24.2% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $15,815 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,814
12	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	31035	54.78	1,290 – 1,450	24912	67377	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is more commonly known as Virginia Tech. Students are known as Hokies and wear Chicago maroon and burnt orange to show off their school spirit. They compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Virginia Tech's motto is "That I May Serve." Undergraduates 31,035 Acceptance Rate 54.8% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $24,912 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,377
13	North Carolina State University	28422	41.74	1,310 – 1,450	15522	57623	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC The North Carolina State University at Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle with Duke University and the University of North Carolina. The school has a 15 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 94% first year retention rate....Read more Undergraduates 28,422 Acceptance Rate 41.7% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $15,522 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,623
14	Syracuse University	15957	45.92	1,290 – 1,440	48215	60459	#14 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Based in Syracuse, Syracuse University’s acceptance rate is 46% and requires $85 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 76% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Syracuse University, there is a 90% first year retention rate and around 75% of undergraduates will......Read more Undergraduates 15,957 Acceptance Rate 45.9% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $48,215 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,459
15	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	25900	58.08	1,300 – 1,460	25223	54240	#15 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA The University of Pittsburgh opened in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy, though it may have roots going back to 1770. Much of the school was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1845, a massive fire that stretched 20 square blocks of the city. Last year, Pitt accepted 35,400 of applicants and 13% of these students enrolled. Undergraduates 25,900 Acceptance Rate 58.1% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $25,223 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,240
16	Clemson University	23401	38.34	1,270 – 1,420	25003	58311	#16 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference Clemson University Clemson, SC Clemson University boasts a large campus – 1,400 acres at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside Lake Hartwell. It’s home to the Clemson Experimental Forest, which is used for research, education, and recreation. Business Administration and Management, General is the most popular undergraduate major. Undergraduates 23,401 Acceptance Rate 38.3% SAT Score 1,270 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $25,003 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,311
17	University of Louisville	17086	79.41	1,020 – 1,280	19785	46571	#17 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Louisville Louisville, KY Found in Louisville, the University of Louisville accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 91% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Louisville, there is a 81% first year retention......Read more Undergraduates 17,086 Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $19,785 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,571