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	1731	64.93	870 – 1,010	17272	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 8,130 applications during the last admissions cycle. 7% of accepted students chose to attend....Read more Undergraduates 1,731 Acceptance Rate 64.9% SAT Score 870 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $17,272 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,227
2	Winston-Salem State University	4192	78.26	850 – 1,040	12989	40557	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Located in Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem State University accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 62% of students attending Winston-Salem State University will receive institutional grant aid. 77% of students decide to stay......Read more Undergraduates 4,192 Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $12,989 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,557
3	Lincoln University	1545	65.72	820 – 960	14473	32865	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA Many undergraduates at Lincoln University choose to major in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, 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 $14,473 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,865
4	Fayetteville State University	6074	82.15	860 – 1,030	7811	37831	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Found in Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University accepted 82% 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. 75% of students continued their studies at......Read more Undergraduates 6,074 Acceptance Rate 82.2% SAT Score 860 – 1,030 Avg. Net Price $7,811 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,831
5	Elizabeth City State University	2154	64.22	900 – 1,110	6483	33776	#5 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.” 89% of students receive grant aid – about $10,732 on average – to help them better afford the cost of college. Many undergraduates major in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. Undergraduates 2,154 Acceptance Rate 64.2% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $6,483 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,776
6	Johnson C Smith University	1252	45.21	790 – 980	19705	31478	#6 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 66% 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 $19,705 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,478
7	Virginia State University	5124	88.63	840 – 1,070	17840	33630	#7 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, 14% of accepted students decided to attend. Two popular undergraduate majors include Psychology, General, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies....Read more Undergraduates 5,124 Acceptance Rate 88.6% SAT Score 840 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $17,840 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,630
8	Bowie State University	5136	72.41	800 – 1,090	17287	43877	#8 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 fairly selective, and many undergraduates choose to study Business Administration and Management, General, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Psychology, and General. Undergraduates 5,136 Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 800 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $17,287 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,877
9	Virginia Union University	1205	97.99	850 – 890	11483	27977	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Virginia Union University Richmond, VA A non selective HBCU, Virginia Union University received 2,800 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 16 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 1,205 Acceptance Rate 98.0% SAT Score 850 – 890 Avg. Net Price $11,483 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,977
10	Bluefield State University	1117	97.23	890 – 1,090	15814	35030	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV Based in Bluefield, Bluefield State University’s acceptance rate is 97% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 84% of students attending Bluefield State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 1,117 Acceptance Rate 97.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $15,814 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,030
11	Livingstone College	924	59.25	800 – 980	12826	24024	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Livingstone College Salisbury, NC Located in Salisbury, Livingstone College accepted 59% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay $25 to apply. About 77% of students at Livingstone College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Livingstone College, there is a 71%......Read more Undergraduates 924 Acceptance Rate 59.3% SAT Score 800 – 980 Avg. Net Price $12,826 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,024
12	Shaw University	877	80.16	660 – 870	16445	26148	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Shaw University Raleigh, NC Located in Raleigh, Shaw University accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. About 75% of students attending Shaw University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 877 Acceptance Rate 80.2% SAT Score 660 – 870 Avg. Net Price $16,445 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,148
13	Saint Augustine's University	173	33.8	760 – 920	19688	26999	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC Undergraduates 173 Acceptance Rate 33.8% SAT Score 760 – 920 Avg. Net Price $19,688 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,999