2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League

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	University of Detroit Mercy	3422	75.72	1,040 – 1,270	17987	64534	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI Found in Detroit, the University of Detroit Mercy’s acceptance rate is 76%. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 83%....Read more Undergraduates 3,422 Acceptance Rate 75.7% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $17,987 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,534
2	Indiana University-Indianapolis	14504	76.37	1,050 – 1,240	11592	47173	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Based in Indianapolis, Indiana University-Indianapolis accepts 76% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $65 to apply. About 75% of students at Indiana University-Indianapolis will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 14,504 Acceptance Rate 76.4% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $11,592 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,173
3	Oakland University	12587	87.84	920 – 1,180	15734	49017	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Based in Rochester Hills, Oakland University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 92% of students attending Oakland University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 12,587 Acceptance Rate 87.8% SAT Score 920 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,017
4	Northern Kentucky University	10163	83.07	970 – 1,210	8151	42105	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Located in Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University’s acceptance rate is 83%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 94% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 10,163 Acceptance Rate 83.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $8,151 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,105
5	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay	10656	72.89	970 – 1,180	10289	46546	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, WI Found in Green Bay, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay accepts 73% of applicants. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. About 33% of students attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will receive institutional grant aid. 65% of students continued studying at the University......Read more Undergraduates 10,656 Acceptance Rate 72.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $10,289 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,546
6	Cleveland State University	9418	91.3	880 – 1,130	16307	44625	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH Found in Cleveland, Cleveland State University’s acceptance rate is 91%. They request $40 for undergraduate applications and . About 76% of students attending Cleveland State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 9,418 Acceptance Rate 91.3% SAT Score 880 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $16,307 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,625
7	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	18428	95.29	970 – 1,210	16499	45851	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Found in Milwaukee, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee accepts 95% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $56 for graduate applications. Approximately 62% of students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 18,428 Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,499 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,851
8	Wright State University-Main Campus	7505	96.33	930 – 1,190	15400	42229	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, OH Based in Dayton, Wright State University-Main Campus accepts 96% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 84% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At Wright State University-Main Campus, there is a 68% first year retention rate and around 27% of......Read more Undergraduates 7,505 Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $15,400 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,229
9	Purdue University Fort Wayne	6489	83.89	990 – 1,240	12619	42873	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Horizon League Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN Located in Fort Wayne, Purdue University Fort Wayne’s acceptance rate is 84%. Undergraduates have to pay $30 to apply. About 63% of students attending Purdue University Fort Wayne will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 6,489 Acceptance Rate 83.9% SAT Score 990 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $12,619 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,873