2027 College Rankings

Best Small Colleges

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Best Small Colleges

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Love the idea of a small class size and campus? Then a small college may be right for you! Attending one of these top best small colleges affords its students the opportunity to join a tight-knit community and a unique opportunity for your voice to be heard. For this ranking list, we counted any college with fewer than 3,000 total students enrolled (includes undergraduates and graduate students).

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	California Institute of Technology	971	3.79	1,550 – 1,590	14513	132140	#1 Best Small Colleges California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA Also known as Caltech, the California Institute of Technology is a private, doctoral/research university located on a 124-acre campus in Pasadena. The school's motto is, “the truth shall make you free.” Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering are top majors among students, and there have been over 75 Nobel laureates that......Read more Undergraduates 971 Acceptance Rate 3.8% SAT Score 1,550 – 1,590 Avg. Net Price $14,513 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $132,140
2	Williams College	2101	8.61	1,480 – 1,560	15894	71754	#2 Best Small Colleges Williams College Williamstown, MA Although it was originally founded as a men’s college in 1793, Williams College is composed of 51% men and 48% women today. It was created out of the funds of Ephraim Williams, who died in the French and Indian War. The college received 16,000 applications during the last admissions cycle and accepted 1,340. Undergraduates 2,101 Acceptance Rate 8.6% SAT Score 1,480 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $15,894 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,754
3	Minerva University	560	2.33	--	13324	63721	#3 Best Small Colleges Minerva University San Francisco, CA Minerva University opened recently, in 2012. Entirely online, class sizes always have 19 students or fewer. It is extremely selective, and 38% of accepted students decide to attend Minerva. The most popular area of study is Computer and Information Sciences, General. Undergraduates 560 Acceptance Rate 2.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,324 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
4	Amherst College	1907	7.72	1,460 – 1,560	19049	62537	#4 Best Small Colleges Amherst College Amherst, MA Amherst College is an extremely selective school. A majority of their first-year students come from All first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates total. The third oldest institution of higher education in the state, Amherst was originally a men’s college, becoming coeducational in 1975....Read more Undergraduates 1,907 Acceptance Rate 7.7% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $19,049 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,537
5	Washington and Lee University	1916	13.54	1,450 – 1,520	23055	76516	#5 Best Small Colleges Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA Originally known as the Augusta Academy and established in 1749, it would later be named after George Washington and Robert E. Lee, the latter of which was the president of the school for five years....Read more Undergraduates 1,916 Acceptance Rate 13.5% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $23,055 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,516
6	Swarthmore College	1631	7.52	1,480 – 1,560	22469	56211	#6 Best Small Colleges Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Swarthmore College was one of the first coeducational colleges in the country. It is associated with the Tri-College Consortium and the Quaker Consortium, which means students can take classes at the University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford, in addition to Swarthmore....Read more Undergraduates 1,631 Acceptance Rate 7.5% SAT Score 1,480 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $22,469 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,211
7	Bowdoin College	1841	6.81	1,460 – 1,550	22228	61692	#7 Best Small Colleges Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Bowdoin College is an extremely selective private liberal arts school. The college offers more than 40 majors, including joint Engineering programs with Columbia, Dartmouth, Caltech, and the University of Maine....Read more Undergraduates 1,841 Acceptance Rate 6.8% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $22,228 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,692
8	Curtis Institute of Music	109	4.4	--	23686	31201	#8 Best Small Colleges Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PA The Curtis Institute of Music offers all students merit-based scholarships that completely cover the cost of tuition. Students with demonstrated financial need may also receive aid to pay for living expenses. Highly selective, the institute only accepts 4% of applicants. 100% of these students enroll the following semester. Undergraduates 109 Acceptance Rate 4.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $23,686 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,201
9	Pomona College	1721	7.14	1,460 – 1,550	19938	60850	#9 Best Small Colleges Pomona College Claremont, CA Pomona College is a private, liberal arts college offering 38 major programs. Three commonly chosen majors include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Mathematics, and General. The school was created with a “college of the New England type” in mind. Their mascot is Cecil the Sagehen. Undergraduates 1,721 Acceptance Rate 7.1% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $19,938 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,850
10	Claremont McKenna College	1378	9.44	1,470 – 1,550	33895	87603	#10 Best Small Colleges Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA Claremont McKenna College, a private liberal arts school, was founded as a men’s college in 1946. It became co-educational in 1976. The most commonly chosen major is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. With an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, 97% of students will stay after their freshman year. Undergraduates 1,378 Acceptance Rate 9.4% SAT Score 1,470 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $33,895 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,603
11	Harvey Mudd College	913	12.33	1,520 – 1,580	43966	115107	#11 Best Small Colleges Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA Harvey Mudd College only offers programs related to Science and Engineering. Part of the Claremont Colleges, their colors are black and gold. The men’s teams are known as the Stags, and the women are known as the Athenas. It has a 95% first year retention rate and 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 913 Acceptance Rate 12.3% SAT Score 1,520 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $43,966 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $115,107
12	The Juilliard School	642	9.15	--	45099	22129	#12 Best Small Colleges The Juilliard School New York, NY The Juilliard School is a performing arts conservatory. Students learn dance, drama, and music, with Stringed Instruments being the most popular major. Some famous alumni are Robin Williams, Ving Rhames, Val Kilmer, and Viola Davis. The institution is extremely selective, and it has a 63% yield. Undergraduates 642 Acceptance Rate 9.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $45,099 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,129
13	Wellesley College	2366	14.79	1,460 – 1,550	22174	65961	#13 Best Small Colleges Wellesley College Wellesley, MA Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college going back to 1870. It’s the largest women’s college, and it has seen famous alumni including Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and Katharine Lee Bates. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics is the most commonly chosen area of study. Undergraduates 2,366 Acceptance Rate 14.8% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $22,174 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,961
14	Franklin W Olin College of Engineering	405	25.2	1,500 – 1,560	43184	105483	#14 Best Small Colleges Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, MA The Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering was established fairly recently in 1997. Half of the student’s tuition is covered by the Olin Scholarship, and students can choose from three majors: Engineering, General, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering....Read more Undergraduates 405 Acceptance Rate 25.2% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $43,184 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $105,483
15	Davidson College	1860	12.62	1,420 – 1,510	27720	62866	#15 Best Small Colleges Davidson College Davidson, NC Davidson College was founded in 1837 and started trying to reduce the cost of higher education for students by the 1850’s. Today, the school meets students’ financial needs through grants, employment, and more. 65% of students receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 1,860 Acceptance Rate 12.6% SAT Score 1,420 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $27,720 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,866
16	Soka University of America	484	43.62	1,340 – 1,510	15691	42696	#16 Best Small Colleges Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA The Soka University of America, a fairly new school (founded in 2001), focuses on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity. It was created by the founder of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, Daisaku Ikeda. Students enjoy a cozy 7 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 484 Acceptance Rate 43.6% SAT Score 1,340 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $15,691 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,696
17	Hamilton College	1980	13.59	1,440 – 1,540	28719	60082	#17 Best Small Colleges Hamilton College Clinton, NY With nearly 60 areas of study, a majority of Hamilton College students opt to major in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. Their motto is in Ancient Greek: Γνῶθι Σεαυτόν, which translates to “Know Thyself.” The school has been coeducational since 1978 after merging with its sister school, Kirkland College. Undergraduates 1,980 Acceptance Rate 13.6% SAT Score 1,440 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $28,719 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,082
18	Carleton College	1974	21.78	1,450 – 1,550	28047	53989	#18 Best Small Colleges Carleton College Northfield, MN Part of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the most popular sports at Carleton College are Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Football, and Swimming and Diving (combined). They’re known as the Knights and wear blue and maize. Computer Science is a commonly chosen undergraduate major. Undergraduates 1,974 Acceptance Rate 21.8% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $28,047 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,989
19	Vassar College	2514	20.93	1,450 – 1,530	29981	49177	#19 Best Small Colleges Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Vassar College offers 50 majors and programs, with the most popular being Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. A few former students of Vassar include Anne Hathaway, Jane Fonda, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Anthony Bourdain....Read more Undergraduates 2,514 Acceptance Rate 20.9% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $29,981 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,177
20	Haverford College	1420	13.31	1,450 – 1,540	26535	53353	#20 Best Small Colleges Haverford College Haverford, PA Haverford College is a liberal arts school founded in 1833 by the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. It’s part of the Tri-College Consortium, so students can attend classes at nearby schools: Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore....Read more Undergraduates 1,420 Acceptance Rate 13.3% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $26,535 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,353
21	Jewish Theological Seminary of America	173	50.76	1,440 – 1,580	58152	53468	#21 Best Small Colleges Jewish Theological Seminary of America New York, NY The Jewish Theological Seminary of America's main building is located along the Hudson River. Though many alumni have gone onto careers in theology, several others have also had notable careers in music, academia, and politics. JTS has a 96% first year retention rate. Undergraduates 173 Acceptance Rate 50.8% SAT Score 1,440 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $58,152 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,468
22	Colby College	2360	8.03	1,430 – 1,540	16219	60052	#22 Best Small Colleges Colby College Waterville, ME Colby College is a private liberal arts school and home to the Perkins Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary. It boasts a strong student-to-faculty of 9 to 1, a 91% first year retention rate, and an 77% four-year graduation rate....Read more Undergraduates 2,360 Acceptance Rate 8.0% SAT Score 1,430 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $16,219 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,052
23	Webb Institute	104	24.84	1,430 – 1,500	21966	68416	#23 Best Small Colleges Webb Institute Glen Cove, NY The Webb Institute is solely focused on Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Students receive full-tuition scholarships, guaranteed internships, and 100% job placement after graduation. It was founded in 1889 by William Henry Webb, a famous shipbuilder....Read more Undergraduates 104 Acceptance Rate 24.8% SAT Score 1,430 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $21,966 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $68,416
24	Grinnell College	1668	16.05	1,420 – 1,530	34363	49004	#24 Best Small Colleges Grinnell College Grinnell, IA The most popular majors at Grinnell College include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Sociology. Part of the Midwest Conference and NCAA Division III with football, the Pioneers, wearing scarlet and black, have a wide variety of sports to choose from, such as Football, Swimming and Diving......Read more Undergraduates 1,668 Acceptance Rate 16.1% SAT Score 1,420 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $34,363 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,004
25	Middlebury College	2640	12.77	1,460 – 1,550	26233	57291	#25 Best Small Colleges Middlebury College Middlebury, VT The first operating higher education institution in Vermont was Middlebury College, founded in 1800. It’s also the first in the United States to award a bachelor’s degree to an African American (in 1823). Although it was originally all-male, the school started admitting women in 1883. Undergraduates 2,640 Acceptance Rate 12.8% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $26,233 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,291