2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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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.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Claflin University	1754	72.55	850 – 1,040	21232	29227	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Claflin University Orangeburg, SC Claflin University was founded shortly after the American Civil War. Its motto is “The World Needs Visionaries.” A fairly selective school, it received 7,000 applications during the last admissions cycle. 9% of accepted students chose to attend....Read more Undergraduates 1,754 Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 850 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $21,232 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,227
2	Lincoln University	1545	65.72	820 – 960	12910	32865	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA Many undergraduates at Lincoln University choose to major in Human Services, General. The school has a 73% first year retention rate and 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Alumni include Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, and Cherelle Parker. Undergraduates 1,545 Acceptance Rate 65.7% SAT Score 820 – 960 Avg. Net Price $12,910 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,865
3	Virginia State University	4829	89.1	850 – 1,020	16184	33630	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Virginia State University Petersburg, VA Virginia State University was the first public 4-year school for African-Americans in the United States, having been founded in 1882. During the last admissions cycle, 15% of accepted students decided to attend. Two popular undergraduate majors include Psychology, General, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies....Read more Undergraduates 4,829 Acceptance Rate 89.1% SAT Score 850 – 1,020 Avg. Net Price $16,184 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,630
4	Winston-Salem State University	4192	78.26	850 – 1,040	12948	40557	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Undergraduates 4,192 Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $12,948 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,557
5	Fayetteville State University	5845	79.89	810 – 1,020	7298	37831	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Found in Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 63% of students at Fayetteville State University currently receive institutional grant aid. 78% of students continued their studies at......Read more Undergraduates 5,845 Acceptance Rate 79.9% SAT Score 810 – 1,020 Avg. Net Price $7,298 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,831
6	Elizabeth City State University	2131	64.61	840 – 1,040	7363	33776	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Elizabeth City State University is part of the University of North Carolina system. The school motto is “To Live is to Learn.” 92% of students receive grant aid – about $10,554 on average – to help them better afford the cost of college. Many undergraduates major in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. Undergraduates 2,131 Acceptance Rate 64.6% SAT Score 840 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $7,363 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,776
7	Bowie State University	5136	75	770 – 980	16117	43877	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Bowie State University Bowie, MD Part of the University System of Maryland, Bowie State University is one of the oldest HBCUs in the United States. It’s somewhat selective, and many undergraduates choose to study Business Administration and Management, General, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, and Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician. Undergraduates 5,136 Acceptance Rate 75.0% SAT Score 770 – 980 Avg. Net Price $16,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,877
8	Johnson C Smith University	1252	45.21	790 – 980	19326	31478	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC Based in Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University accepted 45% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 68% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Undergraduates 1,252 Acceptance Rate 45.2% SAT Score 790 – 980 Avg. Net Price $19,326 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,478
9	Virginia Union University	1170	97.8	800 – 1,000	18496	27977	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Virginia Union University Richmond, VA A non selective HBCU, Virginia Union University received 2,700 last year. 14% of accepted students enrolled. It opened as the Richmond Theological Institute in 1886 towards the end of the American Civil War to help African-Americans enter the Baptist ministry. Virginia Union has a cozy 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 1,170 Acceptance Rate 97.8% SAT Score 800 – 1,000 Avg. Net Price $18,496 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,977
10	Livingstone College	799	74.09	780 – 930	15162	24024	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Livingstone College Salisbury, NC Located in Salisbury, Livingstone College accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay $25 to apply. About 93% of students at Livingstone College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Livingstone College, there is a 47%......Read more Undergraduates 799 Acceptance Rate 74.1% SAT Score 780 – 930 Avg. Net Price $15,162 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,024
11	Saint Augustine's University	173	34.65	760 – 920	18373	26999	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC Undergraduates 173 Acceptance Rate 34.7% SAT Score 760 – 920 Avg. Net Price $18,373 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,999
12	Shaw University	843	30.48	760 – 970	14111	26148	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Shaw University Raleigh, NC Located in Raleigh, Shaw University accepted 30% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. About 90% of students attending Shaw University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 843 Acceptance Rate 30.5% SAT Score 760 – 970 Avg. Net Price $14,111 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,148