College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Every accredited U.S. college

Colleges

Every accredited four-year college, rated on Academic Excellence and Value (what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and student debt), all from federal data.

Filters

Search & sort
Compass Score sorts by outcomes, students and cost together. The other sorts order every college by a different measure.
Ratings
Compass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data: outcomes (40%), entering students (40%), cost (15%) and teaching (5%). Choose the lowest grade to show.
ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
Academic ExcellenceAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.
Only Compass Recommended colleges: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score.
Only Honor Roll colleges: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score.
Only the eight Ivy League universities.
Location1
Distance (miles)
A broad region of the country, as the guide groups the states. Territories are listed separately.
School
Type of college, as college guides group them (from the federal Carnegie Classification): national universities offer a full range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs and do research; liberal arts colleges focus on undergraduates in the arts and sciences; regional universities mostly offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees; regional colleges mostly offer bachelor’s degrees in many fields; specialized schools focus on one field, such as health, art or business.
Public or privatePublic: run by a state or local government. Private: nonprofit or for-profit.
Total enrollment: small is under 2,000 students, medium 2,000 to 9,999, large 10,000 to 24,999, and very large 25,000 or more.
Net price: what a typical student pays per year after grants and scholarships, from the federal College Scorecard.
Coed: men and women together. Single-sex: all-male or all-female.
Campus life
College sports level from federal data: NCAA Division I (the biggest programs), Division II, Division III, or NAIA.
Where the campus is, from federal data: in a city, a suburb, a town, or a rural area.
The college offers Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, on campus or with a nearby college (federal data).
The college offers study abroad (federal data).
Admissions and outcomes
How many applicants are admitted (federal data). Most: 65% or more. Selective: 25% to 64%. Highly selective: under 25%.
Your SAT or ACT, to sort colleges Target, Likely and Reach. Signed in, it is kept on your account (private to you); otherwise only in this browser.
Reach, Target or LikelyA rough guide from admitted students' scores and admission rates, not a prediction. Target: your score is in the college's middle range. Likely: above it, or the college admits most applicants. Reach: below it, or the college admits fewer than 1 in 5.
Small classes: 12 or fewer students per faculty member (federal data).
Strong outcomes: 75% or more of students graduate (federal data).
Major
Colleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.
Clear all
RecommendedOnly Compass Recommended colleges: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score.Honor RollOnly Honor Roll colleges: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score.ValueOnly colleges with a Value score of 85 or higher (grade A), from federal data.AcademicsOnly schools with an Academic Excellence grade of A or better (the top 10% of rated colleges), from federal data.Ivy LeagueOnly the eight Ivy League universities.Clear
Division I sportsCollege sports level from federal data: NCAA Division I (the biggest programs), Division II, Division III, or NAIA.ROTCThe college offers Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, on campus or with a nearby college (federal data).Study abroadThe college offers study abroad (federal data).NursingColleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.EngineeringColleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.Under $20kNet price under $20,000 a year: what a typical student pays after grants and scholarships (federal data).Small classesSmall classes: 12 or fewer students per faculty member (federal data).

117 schools · Sorted by Compass Score

School results

  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 4%

    University of Florida

    #1 in Florida
    Gainesville, FL · Public · 4-year · 54,814 students

    $6,541 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 5%

    University of Miami

    #2 in Florida
    Coral Gables, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 19,593 students

    $37,244 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 5%

    Florida State University

    #3 in Florida
    Tallahassee, FL · Public · 4-year · 43,234 students

    $11,297 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 8%

    University of Florida-Online

    Top 4% for low net price
    Gainesville, FL · Public · 4-year · 5,462 students

    $4,815 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 9%

    Miami Regional University

    #5 in Florida
    Miami Springs, FL · Private for-profit · 4-year · 955 students

    $22,113 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 10%

    University of Central Florida

    #6 in Florida
    Orlando, FL · Public · 4-year · 69,233 students

    $10,411 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 11%

    University of South Florida

    #7 in Florida
    Tampa, FL · Public · 4-year · 48,572 students

    $9,812 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 14%

    Rollins College

    #8 in Florida
    Winter Park, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,013 students

    $34,732 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 14%

    Florida International University

    Top 13% for low net price
    Miami, FL · Public · 4-year · 53,953 students

    $9,288 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 17%

    Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

    #10 in Florida
    Tallahassee, FL · Public · 4-year · 9,265 students

    $13,739 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 18%

    University of North Florida

    Top 16% for low net price
    Jacksonville, FL · Public · 4-year · 16,453 students

    $10,154 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 21%

    Florida Southern College

    #12 in Florida
    Lakeland, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,194 students

    $28,551 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 22%

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

    Top 6% for earnings
    Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 11,070 students

    $41,272 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 22%

    Southeastern College-West Palm Beach

    Top 6% for graduation
    West Palm Beach, FL · Private for-profit · 4-year · 650 students

    $28,820 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 24%

    The University of Tampa

    #15 in Florida
    Tampa, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 11,054 students

    $36,211 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 26%

    New College of Florida

    Top 8% for low net price
    Sarasota, FL · Public · 4-year · 732 students

    $7,195 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 27%

    Florida Polytechnic University

    Top 17% for low debt
    Lakeland, FL · Public · 4-year · 1,618 students

    $11,853 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 28%

    University of West Florida

    Top 14% for low net price
    Pensacola, FL · Public · 4-year · 14,371 students

    $9,364 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 31%

    Florida Atlantic University

    Top 12% for low net price
    Boca Raton, FL · Public · 4-year · 30,790 students

    $8,752 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 32%

    Florida Institute of Technology

    #20 in Florida
    Melbourne, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 8,516 students

    $35,639 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 33%

    Ringling College of Art and Design

    Top 18% for graduation
    Sarasota, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,722 students

    $57,742 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 33%

    Stetson University

    Very good: Compass grade B+
    DeLand, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,669 students

    $19,372 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 35%

    Eckerd College

    Very good: Compass grade B+
    Saint Petersburg, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,986 students

    $38,071 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 36%

    Florida Gulf Coast University

    Top 24% for low net price
    Fort Myers, FL · Public · 4-year · 16,167 students

    $12,568 a year after aid, on average

    ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 36%

    Ave Maria University

    Good: Compass grade B
    Ave Maria, FL · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,335 students

    $24,860 a year after aid, on average

    ValueStrongAcademicsStrong

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Will you get in?

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