2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA

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.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Florida International University	44904	54.66	1,080 – 1,270	10742	47768	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Florida International University Miami, FL Located in Miami, Florida International University accepted 55% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 68% of students at Florida International University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 44,904 Acceptance Rate 54.7% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $10,742 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,768
2	Louisiana Tech University	11071	90.73	1,050 – 1,280	12593	44903	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA Found in Ruston, Louisiana Tech University’s acceptance rate is 91% and charges $20 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 83% of students attending Louisiana Tech University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 82%....Read more Undergraduates 11,071 Acceptance Rate 90.7% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $12,593 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,903
3	Liberty University	52823	99.32	1,040 – 1,340	29692	39707	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Found in Lynchburg, Liberty University’s acceptance rate is 99% and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 97% of students at Liberty University will receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students are given $9,570 each. The first year retention rate is 83%....Read more Undergraduates 52,823 Acceptance Rate 99.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $29,692 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,707
4	Middle Tennessee State University	17668	68	1,010 – 1,240	12700	39941	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Located in Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University accepted 68% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 50% of students at Middle Tennessee State University currently receive grant aid from......Read more Undergraduates 17,668 Acceptance Rate 68.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $12,700 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,941
5	Western Kentucky University	14151	93.87	970 – 1,210	12054	38156	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Located in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University accepts 94% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $50 to apply. Approximately 93% of students attending Western Kentucky University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention rate is 78%......Read more Undergraduates 14,151 Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,054 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,156
6	Sam Houston State University	17787	90.26	930 – 1,130	14556	45337	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Found in Huntsville, Sam Houston State University accepted 90% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 7% of students at Sam Houston State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 17,787 Acceptance Rate 90.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $14,556 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,337
7	New Mexico State University-Main Campus	12498	88.96	890 – 1,130	8353	32960	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM Found in Las Cruces, New Mexico State University-Main Campus accepts 89% of applicants and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 73% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. On average, these students receive $8,707 each. The first year retention rate is 73%....Read more Undergraduates 12,498 Acceptance Rate 89.0% SAT Score 890 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $8,353 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,960
8	The University of Texas at El Paso	20609	99.9	880 – 1,100	10333	37978	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX Found in El Paso, The University of Texas at El Paso accepts 100% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 44% of students attending The University of Texas at El Paso will receive institutional grant aid. 77% of students continued their studies at The University of Texas at El Paso after......Read more Undergraduates 20,609 Acceptance Rate 99.9% SAT Score 880 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $10,333 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,978
9	Jacksonville State University	8663	77.69	940 – 1,200	14511	40158	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Conference USA Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL Found in Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University’s acceptance rate is 78%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students at Jacksonville State University will receive institutional grant aid. At Jacksonville State University, there is a 64% first year......Read more Undergraduates 8,663 Acceptance Rate 77.7% SAT Score 940 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $14,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,158