College Raptor’s Hidden Gem College Rankings highlight amazing schools in the US that you may not have heard of before. We’ve highlighted one school from all 50 states — and DC, and you might just find your dream college among these diamonds in the rough!
What Is a “Hidden Gem?”
When we talk about hidden gems, they all have three things in common:
- They are accessible.
- They are good schools (generally within the top third of College Raptor’s overall rankings).
- They are “hidden” from the standpoint that they don’t get as many applications (like Harvard).
In addition, every school on this “hidden gem” college rankings list meets the following criteria:
- Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year
- Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students
- Offer 5 or more unique majors
- Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher
As a result, hidden gems tend to be smaller schools that are less likely to be known, especially outside their local area or state. For students who would love to attend a smaller college with outstanding programs, these can be top options.
2025 Hidden Gem Colleges in the US
Think a Hidden Gem meets what you’re looking for in a college? Check out our choices for Hidden Gem Colleges below.
ALABAMA
Founded in 1841, Samford University was originally called Howard College and was converted to a military hospital during the Civil War. Today the school has an 82% acceptance rate and 91% first year retention rate. Samford offers over 60 majors, the top three of which are Registered Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Marketing.
Location
Birmingham, AL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
5,682
ALASKA
UAF, otherwise known as “Alaska,” is a flagship, land grant, space grant, and sea grant school. Blue and gold are the official colors of UAF and the mascot is Nanook, a mighty polar bear of Inuit legend. Ice hockey, skiing, and track are popular sports for the Nanooks. About 65% of applicants are accepted each year.
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
6,607
ARIZONA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus is located just north of a wildlife sanctuary and the Willow Creek Reservoir. Alumni of the school have gone on to have impressive careers as astronauts, scientists, military members, authors, athletes, and politicians. 93% of attending students receive institutional grant aid ($18,082 on average).
Location
Prescott, AZ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,162
ARKANSAS
Hendrix College has over 70 student organizations, its own radio station, and more than 30 available majors. Psychology, Economics, and Health Services/Allied Health being the most popular majors. The school’s motto is “εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον” which is Ancient Greek for “Unto the whole person.”
Location
Conway, AR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,144
CALIFORNIA
Harvey Mudd College offers programs only related to Science and Engineering. It has a 13% acceptance rate, 97% first year retention rate, and a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Part of the Claremont Colleges, the school's colors are black and gold. The men’s teams are known as the Stags and the women are known as the Athenas.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
922
COLORADO
Though presently located in Denver, Regis actually started in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has an 87% acceptance rate and it is $0 to apply for undergraduate school. There is a near 50/50 split between undergraduate and graduate students studying on campus. Blue and gold are the official school colors.
Location
Denver, CO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
4,668
CONNECTICUT
A largely female school, the University of Saint Joseph was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 and only started accepting men in 2018. The campus is well known for its Georgian brick architecture and the entire school is on an 84 acre campus. 80% of students who apply are accepted; about 12% of these decide to attend the following fall.
Location
West Hartford, CT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,992
DC
Gallaudet University is a school dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing. Accepting just over 60% of applicants, they have two official languages: English and American Sign Language. Many students will go on to major in Psychology, Social Work, Deaf Studies, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Location
Washington, DC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,322
DELAWARE
Goldey-Beacom College was founded in 1886 and today offers up to a doctorate for its students. 80% of students receive institutional grants from the college, with an average of just over $6,200 per student. Accepting 77% of applicants, common majors include Business Administration and Management, Finance, and Psychology.
Location
Wilmington, DE
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,012
FLORIDA
Eckerd College is a liberal arts school that sits on a mile long waterfront on the Gulf Coast. The school has a 79% acceptance rate and 77% first year retention rate. Top majors for students are Marine Biology, Biological Oceanography, and Environmental Students.
Location
Saint Petersburg, FL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,993
GEORGIA
One of the Seven Sisters, Agnes Scott College is a women’s undergraduate school but offers co-educational graduate programs as well. The school underwent many name changes since it was founded in 1889, starting with the Decatur Female Seminary. The school has a number of interesting long-standing traditions including Class Colors, Pestle Board, and Black Cat.
Location
Decatur, GA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,114
HAWAII
Chaminade University of Honolulu is the only Catholic University in Hawaii and the school accepts 93% of applicants. With a 71% first year retention rate, the school has a 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Top majors include Registered Nursing, Psychology, Business Administration and Management, and Elementary Education.
Location
Honolulu, HI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,369
IDAHO
The College of Idaho is the oldest private liberal arts college in the state and offers up to a master’s degree. Graduates have gone onto impressive careers in business, politics, law, and sports. The acceptance rate is 47% and the school does not charge students to apply.
Location
Caldwell, ID
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,082
ILLINOIS
Wheaton College was founded by evangelical abolitionists in 1860 and would become a stop on the Underground Railroad. Business is by far the most popular major at the school. Athletic teams are known as The Thunder. They wear blue and orange and compete in the NCAA Division III in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
Location
Wheaton, IL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,885
INDIANA
Wabash College is a small undergraduate men’s school. They accept 63% of applicants and it is free to apply. The student paper, The Bachelor, has been in publication since the early 1900’s. Rhetoric and Composition, Economics, and Political Science and Government are among the popular majors.
Location
Crawfordsville, IN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
835
IOWA
Luther College, which has an 81% first year retention rate, got its start as a Lutheran seminary by Norwegian immigrants. The upper campus is on the National Register of Historic Places which is a list of buildings and structures that are considered of historical significance. In the lower part of the school, students can see the Upper Iowa River flowing through.
Location
Decorah, IA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,610
KANSAS
Benedictine College’s core values are built into the four “pillars” of the school which are known as Catholic, Benedictine, Liberal Arts, and Residential. The college’s motto is “Forward. Always Forward.” Its campus is located along the bends of the Missouri River. The most popular majors at the school are Registered Nursing, Theology, and Finance.
Location
Atchison, KS
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,362
KENTUCKY
Centre College’s motto is “Doctrina Lux Mentis,” or “Learning is the Light of the Mind.” The college accepts 54% of applicants and there is a $0 application fee. The school's top majors are Economics, Psychology, Biology, Physiological Psychology, and International/Global Studies.
Location
Danville, KY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,357
LOUISIANA
The Centenary College of Louisiana is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River, having been founded in 1885 originally as the College of Louisiana. Students get to experience the 65-acre campus which has over 300 species of plant life. Top majors for students include Biology, Business Administration, and Psychology.
Location
Shreveport, LA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
556
MAINE
Located on a peninsula in the Bagaduce River and Penobscot Bay, the Maine Maritime Academy is a non-federal maritime training school, however students are not required to join the military after graduation. The most popular major is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The school admits just over 61% of applicants, has a 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a first-year retention rate of 86%.
Location
Castine, ME
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
897
MARYLAND
The Washington College dates back to 1723 when it began as the Kent County Free School. It would become Washington College in 1782. Today, it is the 10th oldest college in the United States and was the first college chartered after the American Revolution. George Washington was heavily involved in the founding.
Location
Chestertown, MD
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
955
MASSACHUSETTS
Founded as a female seminary in 1834, Wheaton College only started accepting men in 1988. Today, women still outnumber men making up 63% of the student body. The school accepts 71% of students who apply, has an 81% first year retention rate, and has a 11:1 student to faculty ratio. About 96% of students who attend receive institutional grant aid.
Location
Norton, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,667
MICHIGAN
Hillsdale’s motto is “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” or “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” The school has a 96% first year retention rate and an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. All students who attend are required to take courses on the “Great Books,” the United States Constitution, and Science courses. 72% of students will graduate within 4 years.
Location
Hillsdale, MI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,678
MINNESOTA
Partnered with Saint John’s University for men, the College of Saint Benedict is exclusively for women. The school got its start in 1913 with only six students. Today, resources are shared between the two campuses, a partnership that began in 1955. They have an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 89% first year retention rate, and 79% four-year graduation rate.
Location
Saint Joseph, MN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,470
MISSISSIPPI
A very small school, Millsaps College was founded in 1890. The college has produced several notable alumni including Johnny Carson, Vic Roby, and Gary Burghoff, among others. Students attending Millsaps will often visit “The Bowl” where Homecoming activities, concerts, and other events are held. Offering over 40 majors, Business Administration and Biology are the most popular.
Location
Jackson, MS
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
661
MISSOURI
Rockhurst University students learn under the traditional Ignatian philosophy regarding academics, leadership, and service. With a heavy focus on values and ethics, students who graduate get a transcript for grades as well as their community service. The school motto, “Sapientia Aedificavit Sibi Domum”, means “Wisdom has built herself a home.”
Location
Kansas City, MO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,405
MONTANA
Though the school seal features two lions, Carroll College’s mascot is actually a St. Bernard named Halo. Student athletes compete as the Fighting Saints in sports like track, basketball, and soccer. The campus is located near Mt. Helena. Registered Nursing is the most popular major, followed by Health Services/Allied Health.
Location
Helena, MT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,168
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Wesleyan University, or NWU, is a private university associated with United Methodists. The school has an 84% acceptance rate and it is $0 to apply. Competing in the American Rivers Conference, the over 600 athletes are known as the Prairie Wolves and wear black and gold.
Location
Lincoln, NE
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,688
NEVADA*
Located at the foot of Mount Scorpion Mountain, Nevada State College practices sustainable principles on their 511-acre campus. While NSC is a very ethnically diverse school, 99% of students call Nevada their home state. The most popular major by far is Registered Nursing and about 89% of students receive grant aid.
Location
Henderson, NV
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
7,169
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Saint Anselm College is the third oldest Catholic college in New England, having been founded in 1889. The school has been the site of presidential policy speeches from John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon as well as several national presidential debates. 100% of students receive institutional aid from the school ($29,355 on average).
Location
Manchester, NH
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,977
NEW JERSEY
The Florham Campus of the Fairleigh Dickinson University opened in spring of 2013, and the university itself has campuses in New Jersey, Canada, and the UK. Classes are also available online. With a 80% first year retention rate, students often major in Psychology, Biology, and Registered Nursing, and Business Administration and Management.
Location
Madison, NJ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,823
NEW MEXICO
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology offers over 40 degree programs, the most popular of which are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemical Engineering. A space-grant college, New Mexico Tech has a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 75% first year retention rate.
Location
Socorro, NM
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,689
NEW YORK
Yeshiva University, a research university in Manhattan, has four schools that make up the undergraduate program: Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, Katz School of Science and Health, and Syms School of Business. Campuses, buildings, and facilities can also be found in other NYC boroughs and in Israel. Yeshiva has a 64% acceptance rate and 92% first year retention rate.
Location
New York City, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,056
NORTH CAROLINA
A women’s college, Meredith offers nearly 40 different majors. Biology, Psychology, and Interior Design are the most popular of them. Just under 80% of the incoming class call North Carolina home, with other students coming from neighboring states. Meredith College also has a whole range of traditions, mentoring opportunities, and programs.
Location
Raleigh, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,587
NORTH DAKOTA
Although the University of Mary calls North Dakota its home, campuses can be found all over the world, including in Rome, Italy and Arequipa, Peru. They accept 78% of applicants, have a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and an 80% first year retention rate. Its campus is located next to the Missouri River.
Location
Bismark, ND
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,652
OHIO
John Carroll University has over 70 majors available to undergraduates, with Finance, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Marketing/Marketing Management being popular choices. The school was founded in 1886 and became coeducational in 1968. Alumni include Brian P. Cleary, Wade Manning, and Jack Kahl.
Location
University Heights, OH
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,922
OKLAHOMA
There are more women than men at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at OCU, where 99% of students receive institutional aid. The school accepts 70% of students who apply. On the field, Oklahoma City University’s Stars are cheered on by other students wearing blue and white and their mascot, a ram named Starsky.
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,550
OREGON
Willamette University is the oldest university found in the western part of the United States. It was founded in 1842 as the Oregon Institute. Today, the school accepts about 79% of students and it's free to apply. There are about 350 athletes known as the Bearcats. Wearing cardinal and gold, they participate in 20 different varsity sports in the Northwest Conference.
Location
Salem, OR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,909
PENNSYLVANIA
Bryn Mawr is a highly selective school, with an acceptance rate of about 31%. A distinguished women’s college, Bryn Mawr is part of the Seven Sisters College consortium, expanding students’ academic opportunities. With an 90% first year retention rate, Bryn Mawr also has a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Location
Bryn Mawr, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,742
RHODE ISLAND
The second oldest college in the state, Rhode Island College is on an 180 acre campus. Registered Nursing and Psychology are the two most common majors among students at the school. It offers up to the doctor’s degree level of education, though 81% study at the undergraduate level. RIC is a first-choice institution for Hispanic/Latinx students.
Location
Providence, RI
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
5,787
SOUTH CAROLINA
Founded in 1854, Wofford College is one of the few southeastern schools that was founded prior to the American Civil War that still exists today. The school has an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an 89% freshman retention rate. Wofford has a terrier for a mascot and students wear old gold and black in support of Wofford.
Location
Spartanburg, SC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,823
SOUTH DAKOTA
At Augustana University, navy blue and gold are the official colors of the Vikings, who compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Registered Nursing, Biology, Business Administration, and Elementary Education are the top 4 most popular majors on campus, and the school has a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 100% of students attending Augustana receive institutional aid to help pay for college.
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,086
TENNESSEE
Cardinal and Cream aren’t just Union University’s colors; it’s the name of the campus paper. The university accepts 47% of students, a majority of which are from Tennessee (62%). Union has an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 84% first year retention rate. Almost all students attending the university receive institutional financial aid.
Location
Jackson, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,731
TEXAS
“Veritatem, Justitiam Diligite” is the motto of the University of Dallas. In English it means “Love Ye Truth and Justice.” The UD Crusaders compete in sports like soccer, lacrosse, track and field, and basketball. 62.4% of the students study at the undergraduate level. The University of Dallas also has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and an 77% first year retention rate.
Location
Irving, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,328
UTAH
A doctor’s degree is the highest level of education offered at Westminster College. The school has a 69% acceptance rate there is $0 to application fee. They have a good student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and a first-year retention rate of 75%. Top majors for Westminster students include Registered Nursing, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Biology.
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,280
VERMONT
Bennington College, sitting on 440 acres, was originally a women’s college when it was founded in 1932 and became coeducational in 1969. Today, the school is still predominantly female (67% of undergraduates are women). Visual and Performing Arts is the most popular major on campus, followed by Drama and Dramatics, Music, and General Literature.
Location
Bennington, VT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
880
VIRGINIA
A newer school, founded in 2000, Patrick Henry College follows a Christian Liberal Arts approach to its curriculum. PHC has an 82% acceptance rate and it costs $50 to apply. 98% of attending students receive some sort of grant or institutional aid. Political Science and Government and Strategic Intelligence are the most popular majors.
Location
Purcellville, VA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
409
WASHINGTON
Sharing a campus with Cascadia College, University of Washington's Bothell Campus is actually the largest campus branch in the state. Over 95% of students are from Washington. UW Bothell has over 50 majors, to most popular of which are Computer Science, Registered Nursing, and Business Administration. 85% of students stay at the school after their first year.
Location
Bothell, WA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
5,735
WEST VIRGINIA
Offering over 60 undergraduate programs, the most popular majors at West Liberty University include Business Administration and Management, General Studies, and Biology. It is actually the oldest institution of higher education in West Virginia – founded in 1837. Black and gold are the colors of the WLU Hilltoppers. A majority of students come from its home state (61%), but many others are from surrounding states.
Location
West Liberty, WV
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
2,315
WISCONSIN
Lawrence University was the second coeducation institution (founded in 1847) in the US. The three most popular majors are Music Performance, Biology, and Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. Offering only bachelor’s degrees to students, many alumni have gone into careers in politics, music, and sports. The campus sits along the winding Fox River.
Location
Appleton, WI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,426
WYOMING*
The University of Wyoming is one of the rare schools that features a live animal mascot - a horse named Cowboy Joe. Another mascot, Pistol Pete, is played by a student in costume. Brown and gold are the official school colors. Also known as UW, the university is a land-grant, space-grant, and public flagship school.
Location
Laramie, WY
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
11,100
*Note: While Nevada and Wyoming did not have any colleges that qualified under our Hidden Gem Colleges criteria this year, we included the closest match. In the spirit of Hidden Gems, we feel it’s important to include schools from all states so students and families know about the opportunities around them.
Why Should You Consider Going to a Hidden Gem?
Even if you’ve never heard of the college, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go there! There are nearly 4,000 schools in the United States that grant degrees, so it’s impossible to know them all.
College Raptor’s Hidden Gems are top rated schools that simply don’t get as many applications as the big names, like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example. Almost all Hidden Gem schools are pulled from the top 33% of our own overall rankings, which takes into account things like diversity, endowment, graduation rates, and more. As a result, most of these schools on our Hidden Gems list will have solid statistics backing them up.
Here are a few reasons why Hidden Gem schools should be on your radar:
- They tend to be less expensive. Smaller schools, on average, are less expensive compared to larger colleges. Since they’re lesser known, they don’t always command those high prices, either.
- They’re perfect for students who want a smaller to medium sized school. All of the Hidden Gems on our list have fewer than 7,000 students. If you want smaller, more intimate classes, these fit the bill.
- They can be easier to get into. Fewer applicants can often mean higher acceptance rates. This isn’t an iron clad rule, but it’s definitely a trend.
- They still have a selection of impressive programs. All of the Hidden Gems on our list have five or more majors. Many of them have dozens or even over a hundred available.
- They’re all over the country. Hidden Gems aren’t only here and there. There are dozens of them all over the country.
Big or small, hidden or well-know, use College Raptor’s College Search tool to find the right fit school for you. Not only does the College Match Tool match you with colleges that fit your major and location preferences, it can tell you what your acceptance chances are into your dream school and gives you an accurate estimate of what it will cost you!
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
All the schools on this list also receive fewer than 5,000 applications in an acceptance cycle, currently have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students attending, offer five or more unique majors or programs, and accept more than 10% of applicants.
