College Raptor’s Hidden Gems 2024

College Raptor’s Hidden Gems rankings puts the spotlight on amazing schools that you may not have heard of before. These designations are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings as well as the number of factors unique to the Hidden Gems lists.

This year’s lists include Hidden Gem schools organized by state and by region. In addition, we pulled out top-ranked hidden gems schools for:

Map of 2024 Hidden Gem Colleges.
hidden gems 2024

Hidden Gem Colleges in the US | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 23, 2023
College Raptor’s Hidden Gem College Rankings puts a spotlight on amazing schools in the US that you may not have heard of before. 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 gems 2024

Hidden Gem HBCUs | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 23, 2023
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, are schools that have a history of providing education to African Americans and underrepresented communities in the United States. Some are more well-known than others, but we wanted to shine some light on 25 amazing “hidden gem” HBCUs.  In order to be considered for this Hidden Gems list, …
hidden gems 2024

D3 Hidden Gem Colleges | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 25, 2023
Most colleges and universities in the US offer some sort of athletic program. Division III, or D3 is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These schools represent a great opportunity for student-athletes who want a combined athletic and academic college experience. There are currently 438 Division III colleges, but for our list, …
hidden gems 2024

Easier-to-Get-Into Hidden Gem Colleges | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 23, 2023
When colleges have low acceptance rates, students can wait on tenterhooks for a reply. This can lead to a stressful springtime for many graduating high school students. However, there are plenty of amazing schools that have higher-than-average acceptance rates for applicants! These colleges and universities that are easier-to-get-into can be excellent dream schools or safety …
hidden gems 2024

Hidden Gem Colleges in New England | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 23, 2023
Many of the well-known colleges in the United States are located in New England, including Harvard and Yale, which can make it difficult for lesser-known schools to shine! We want to give some spotlight to those schools with our Hidden Gem Colleges in New England for 2024. These colleges and universities offer outstanding programs and …
hidden gems 2024

Hidden Gem Colleges in the Plains Region | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 23, 2023
America’s heartland (or, the Plains region as we call it) is vast, fertile, and filled with various industries. Additionally, it’s home to a bunch of amazing colleges. These colleges are standouts for a reason, and, while they may not be household names, they’re definitely worth a look when you want to further your education. These …
hidden gems 2024

Hidden Gem Colleges in the Mid-East US | 2024 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 23, 2023
Also known as the Mid-Atlantic region, the mid-east region of the United States is home to some of the most amazing colleges in the country. Some pre-date the American Revolution! With so many standout names, though, it can be easier to overlook some colleges that deserve more attention. We aim to highlight those in this …

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