Lens covers 176 small-town and rural colleges, 108 public and 68 private. They range from Rust College (467 undergraduates) to Brigham Young University–Idaho (44,397). Acceptance rates run from 5% to 99%, and 149 of the 176 admit at least half of applicants.
Small-town and rural colleges are outside cities and suburbs (NCES locale).
Open these 176 colleges in the College Filter → Narrow them by cost at your rate, majors, size and more.
The 176 small-town and rural colleges
Listed A to Z. Lens never ranks colleges.
| College | Location | Undergraduates | Acceptance rate | Tuition & fees (before aid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion College | Albion, Michigan | 1,300 | 81% | $56,950 |
| Alcorn State University | Alcorn State, Mississippi | 2,363 | 45% | $8,785 |
| Alfred University | Alfred, New York | 1,423 | 74% | $41,500 |
| Allegheny College | Meadville, Pennsylvania | 1,156 | 55% | $56,550 |
| Alma College | Alma, Michigan | 1,148 | 57% | $49,552 |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton, Massachusetts | 906 | 50% | $44,571 |
| Appalachian State University | Boone, North Carolina | 19,444 | 90% | $7,579 in-state · $25,212 out-of-state |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, Arkansas | 5,388 | 96% | $8,674 in-state · $14,668 out-of-state |
| Ashland University | Ashland, Ohio | 2,199 | 76% | $31,210 |
| Bard College | Annandale-On-Hudson, New York | 2,414 | 52% | $66,436 |
| Bemidji State University | Bemidji, Minnesota | 3,139 | 56% | $10,237 |
| Berea College | Berea, Kentucky | 1,513 | 19% | $51,658 |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, Maine | 1,873 | 7% | $67,832 |
| Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green, Ohio | 12,812 | 81% | $14,460 in-state · $22,448 out-of-state |
| Brigham Young University–Idaho | Rexburg, Idaho | 44,397 | 96% | $4,800 |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | 3,876 | 29% | $67,812 |
| California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | Arcata, California | 5,612 | 98% | $8,250 in-state · $20,850 out-of-state |
| California State University, Channel Islands | Camarillo, California | 5,013 | 95% | $7,159 in-state · $19,759 out-of-state |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, North Carolina | 2,680 | 87% | $41,600 |
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville, Kentucky | 2,840 | 80% | $27,998 |
| Carleton College | Northfield, Minnesota | 2,086 | 20% | $68,892 |
| Cedarville University | Cedarville, Ohio | 4,024 | 65% | $37,150 |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | 10,035 | 90% | $14,760 |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, Washington | 7,833 | 91% | $9,417 in-state · $27,526 out-of-state |
| Centre College | Danville, Kentucky | 1,400 | 54% | $52,820 |
| Claflin University | Orangeburg, South Carolina | 1,706 | 65% | $18,282 |
| Clarkson University | Potsdam, New York | 2,196 | 77% | $59,398 |
| Colby College | Waterville, Maine | 2,407 | 7% | $69,600 |
| Colgate University | Hamilton, New York | 3,180 | 14% | $70,306 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | 9,210 | 93% | $11,046 in-state · $22,870 out-of-state |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, New Hampshire | 4,541 | 5% | $68,268 |
| DePauw University | Greencastle, Indiana | 1,905 | 57% | $59,070 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | 4,814 | 92% | $11,536 in-state · $19,502 out-of-state |
| East Texas A&M University | Commerce, Texas | 9,912 | 92% | $10,026 in-state · $22,326 out-of-state |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, Connecticut | 3,418 | 83% | $13,928 in-state · $17,428 out-of-state |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, Illinois | 4,188 | 65% | $13,679 in-state · $16,217 out-of-state |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, Kentucky | 12,318 | 78% | $10,320 in-state · $21,230 out-of-state |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney, Washington | 6,222 | 91% | $8,586 in-state · $25,959 out-of-state |
| Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | 1,975 | 64% | $6,536 in-state · $10,536 out-of-state |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids, Michigan | 8,106 | 91% | $14,778 |
| Florida Polytechnic University | Lakeland, Florida | 1,689 | 58% | $4,940 in-state · $21,005 out-of-state |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, Colorado | 3,079 | 77% | $9,958 in-state · $21,526 out-of-state |
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, Georgia | 2,684 | 66% | $5,526 in-state · $16,932 out-of-state |
| Francis Marion University | Florence, South Carolina | 2,628 | 86% | $11,160 in-state · $21,544 out-of-state |
| Frostburg State University | Frostburg, Maryland | 2,909 | 89% | $10,220 in-state · $25,814 out-of-state |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | 1,856 | 77% | $34,760 |
| George Fox University | Newberg, Oregon | 2,699 | 94% | $42,750 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, Georgia | 5,947 | 78% | $9,186 in-state · $29,512 out-of-state |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Georgia | 21,790 | 88% | $6,022 in-state · $17,734 out-of-state |
| Gettysburg College | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | 2,099 | 39% | $66,640 |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary | Winona Lake, Indiana | 1,464 | 82% | $31,200 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, Louisiana | 4,164 | 45% | $7,683 in-state · $16,706 out-of-state |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, Michigan | 18,854 | 83% | $15,140 in-state · $21,548 out-of-state |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, Iowa | 1,729 | 15% | $68,106 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter, Minnesota | 1,878 | 61% | $56,076 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden-Sydney, Virginia | 946 | 41% | $54,550 |
| Hartwick College | Oneonta, New York | 1,087 | 70% | $54,962 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, Michigan | 1,573 | 21% | $33,189 |
| Hobart William Smith Colleges | Geneva, New York | 1,786 | 64% | $65,117 |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville, Illinois | 930 | 78% | $38,676 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana, Pennsylvania | 6,764 | 91% | $11,380 in-state · $16,297 out-of-state |
| Indiana Wesleyan University–Marion | Marion, Indiana | 1,974 | 89% | $32,352 |
| Keene State College | Keene, New Hampshire | 2,699 | 90% | $14,784 in-state · $26,840 out-of-state |
| Kenyon College | Gambier, Ohio | 1,732 | 31% | $71,520 |
| Knox College | Galesburg, Illinois | 1,127 | 71% | $57,903 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | 6,180 | 91% | $11,314 in-state · $16,068 out-of-state |
| Lander University | Greenwood, South Carolina | 3,397 | 81% | $11,700 in-state · $21,300 out-of-state |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, Tennessee | 1,572 | 63% | $26,938 |
| Longwood University | Farmville, Virginia | 3,015 | 90% | $15,744 in-state · $27,978 out-of-state |
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, Louisiana | 8,312 | 86% | $10,125 in-state · $16,866 out-of-state |
| Manchester University | North Manchester, Indiana | 936 | 71% | $37,135 |
| McDaniel College | Westminster, Maryland | 1,617 | 78% | $52,081 |
| Miami University–Oxford | Oxford, Ohio | 16,656 | 75% | $18,161 in-state · $41,221 out-of-state |
| Michigan Technological University | Houghton, Michigan | 5,955 | 92% | $19,123 in-state · $42,988 out-of-state |
| Middlebury College | Middlebury, Vermont | 2,738 | 11% | $67,600 |
| Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, Mississippi | 18,397 | 78% | $10,202 in-state · $27,637 out-of-state |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, Missouri | 5,521 | 73% | $14,984 in-state · $33,248 out-of-state |
| Morehead State University | Morehead, Kentucky | 4,578 | 77% | $10,024 in-state · $14,980 out-of-state |
| Mount St. Mary's University | Emmitsburg, Maryland | 1,768 | 74% | $48,630 |
| Murray State University | Murray, Kentucky | 6,688 | 86% | $9,900 in-state · $19,836 out-of-state |
| New England College | Henniker, New Hampshire | 1,022 | 92% | $41,938 |
| New York Institute of Technology | Old Westbury, New York | 3,440 | 81% | $46,560 |
| Newberry College | Newberry, South Carolina | 1,479 | 90% | $31,100 |
| Northern Michigan University | Marquette, Michigan | 6,556 | 84% | $14,277 in-state · $19,773 out-of-state |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, Missouri | 4,378 | 86% | $10,611 in-state · $17,324 out-of-state |
| Norwich University | Northfield, Vermont | 2,428 | 74% | $49,740 |
| Oberlin College | Oberlin, Ohio | 2,887 | 34% | $67,366 |
| Ohio Northern University | Ada, Ohio | 2,489 | 74% | $39,800 |
| Ohio University | Athens, Ohio | 19,633 | 85% | $14,158 in-state · $24,838 out-of-state |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | Shawnee, Oklahoma | 1,308 | 49% | $35,570 |
| Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, Oklahoma | 21,773 | 75% | $10,234 in-state · $25,754 out-of-state |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls, Oregon | 2,892 | 95% | $13,260 in-state · $37,196 out-of-state |
| Pennsylvania Western University | California, Pennsylvania | 7,451 | 94% | $11,436 in-state · $16,054 out-of-state |
| Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, Kansas | 4,210 | 89% | $8,400 in-state · $19,744 out-of-state |
| Plymouth State University | Plymouth, New Hampshire | 3,153 | 88% | $14,626 in-state · $25,566 out-of-state |
| Prairie View A & M University | Prairie View, Texas | 8,877 | 79% | $11,299 in-state · $26,874 out-of-state |
| Presbyterian College | Clinton, South Carolina | 852 | 68% | $44,910 |
| Radford University | Radford, Virginia | 6,038 | 90% | $12,548 in-state · $25,633 out-of-state |
| Rust College | Holly Springs, Mississippi | 467 | 49% | $13,265 |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, New York | 5,784 | 71% | $8,752 in-state · $15,822 out-of-state |
| SUNY College at Geneseo | Geneseo, New York | 3,869 | 66% | $8,999 in-state · $19,569 out-of-state |
| SUNY College at Potsdam | Potsdam, New York | 1,823 | 78% | $8,768 in-state · $18,678 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill | Cobleskill, New York | 1,904 | 84% | $8,768 in-state · $18,678 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, New York | 3,563 | 76% | $8,892 in-state · $16,837 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | Canton, New York | 2,741 | 92% | $8,742 in-state · $13,572 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Delhi, New York | 2,843 | 89% | $8,772 in-state · $12,762 out-of-state |
| SUNY Morrisville | Morrisville, New York | 1,923 | 92% | $8,825 in-state · $19,245 out-of-state |
| SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, New York | 4,643 | 70% | $8,831 in-state · $19,781 out-of-state |
| SUNY at Fredonia | Fredonia, New York | 2,755 | 78% | $8,831 in-state · $19,771 out-of-state |
| Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, Florida | 6,721 | 78% | $30,000 |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, Texas | 17,743 | 90% | $9,228 in-state · $19,068 out-of-state |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | 4,086 | 86% | $13,720 in-state · $15,974 out-of-state |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | 6,788 | 71% | $10,568 in-state · $14,676 out-of-state |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, South Carolina | 2,934 | 83% | $11,060 in-state · $21,750 out-of-state |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings, South Dakota | 9,198 | 98% | $9,299 in-state · $12,809 out-of-state |
| Southern Illinois University–Carbondale | Carbondale, Illinois | 8,494 | 87% | $13,334 |
| Southern Utah University | Cedar City, Utah | 9,289 | 82% | $6,962 in-state · $21,192 out-of-state |
| St Bonaventure University | Saint Bonaventure, New York | 2,012 | 82% | $41,735 |
| St Lawrence University | Canton, New York | 1,918 | 54% | $65,900 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, Minnesota | 3,093 | 48% | $59,760 |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | St. Mary's City, Maryland | 1,603 | 69% | $15,298 in-state · $31,374 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at Cortland | Cortland, New York | 5,901 | 60% | $8,874 in-state · $18,784 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz, New York | 6,086 | 62% | $8,572 in-state · $18,822 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at Oswego | Oswego, New York | 5,473 | 81% | $8,825 in-state · $18,735 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh, New York | 3,769 | 78% | $9,035 in-state · $18,945 out-of-state |
| Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, Texas | 8,728 | 94% | $11,128 in-state · $23,426 out-of-state |
| Stockton University | Galloway, New Jersey | 7,537 | 89% | $16,266 in-state · $24,524 out-of-state |
| Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | 2,163 | 81% | $59,850 |
| Talladega College | Talladega, Alabama | 701 | 85% | $15,650 |
| Tarleton State University | Stephenville, Texas | 12,673 | 90% | $8,302 in-state · $18,142 out-of-state |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Tennessee | 8,698 | 76% | $11,376 in-state · $15,576 out-of-state |
| Texas A&M University–Kingsville | Kingsville, Texas | 4,748 | 91% | $9,892 in-state · $25,746 out-of-state |
| The College of Wooster | Wooster, Ohio | 1,730 | 60% | $61,640 |
| The University of Findlay | Findlay, Ohio | 2,223 | 83% | $41,164 |
| The University of Tennessee–Martin | Martin, Tennessee | 4,866 | 88% | $10,560 in-state · $16,600 out-of-state |
| The University of the South | Sewanee, Tennessee | 1,607 | 57% | $56,120 |
| Tiffin University | Tiffin, Ohio | 2,051 | 80% | $34,790 |
| Trine University | Angola, Indiana | 2,324 | 85% | $36,560 |
| Troy University | Troy, Alabama | 9,805 | 96% | $10,176 in-state · $20,352 out-of-state |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, Alabama | 2,630 | 49% | $25,386 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, Colorado | 4,114 | 14% | – |
| United States Military Academy | West Point, New York | 4,408 | 12% | – |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | 1,807 | 41% | $9,412 in-state · $17,992 out-of-state |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, Missouri | 5,648 | 64% | $10,050 in-state · $18,600 out-of-state |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, Connecticut | 19,835 | 52% | $21,044 in-state · $43,712 out-of-state |
| University of Idaho | Moscow, Idaho | 7,747 | 76% | $9,084 in-state · $28,320 out-of-state |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, Maryland | 2,391 | 96% | $9,076 in-state · $20,122 out-of-state |
| University of Mississippi | University, Mississippi | 21,473 | 97% | $9,772 in-state · $28,600 out-of-state |
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo, Alabama | 2,151 | 54% | $13,948 in-state · $26,968 out-of-state |
| University of Mount Union | Alliance, Ohio | 1,995 | 78% | $36,600 |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, Nebraska | 4,088 | 89% | $8,676 in-state · $15,284 out-of-state |
| University of New Hampshire | Durham, New Hampshire | 11,261 | 88% | $19,202 in-state · $39,852 out-of-state |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke, North Carolina | 5,330 | 93% | $3,648 in-state · $7,648 out-of-state |
| University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, Georgia | 16,146 | 68% | $5,285 in-state · $16,503 out-of-state |
| University of Pittsburgh–Bradford | Bradford, Pennsylvania | 995 | 89% | $14,770 in-state · $26,644 out-of-state |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota | 5,439 | 99% | $9,432 in-state · $12,942 out-of-state |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | Wise, Virginia | 1,101 | 29% | $11,780 in-state · $28,010 out-of-state |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, Florida | 9,330 | 58% | $6,360 in-state · $19,241 out-of-state |
| University of West Georgia | Carrollton, Georgia | 7,520 | 52% | $6,088 in-state · $17,800 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Platteville | Platteville, Wisconsin | 5,837 | 89% | $8,644 in-state · $17,603 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–River Falls | River Falls, Wisconsin | 4,205 | 82% | $9,008 in-state · $17,470 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | 7,306 | 92% | $9,488 in-state · $18,508 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Stout | Menomonie, Wisconsin | 5,842 | 88% | $10,701 in-state · $19,265 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Whitewater | Whitewater, Wisconsin | 9,405 | 86% | $8,616 in-state · $18,716 out-of-state |
| University of Wyoming | Laramie, Wyoming | 7,944 | 97% | $7,768 in-state · $24,178 out-of-state |
| Vermont State University | Randolph, Vermont | 3,590 | 82% | $11,952 in-state · $22,296 out-of-state |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, Iowa | 1,452 | 76% | $26,250 |
| Washington College | Chestertown, Maryland | 891 | 57% | $55,326 |
| Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | 21,099 | 87% | $13,391 in-state · $29,950 out-of-state |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington, Virginia | 1,881 | 14% | $68,045 |
| West Texas A & M University | Canyon, Texas | 6,917 | 99% | $9,101 in-state · $10,996 out-of-state |
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, North Carolina | 10,024 | 82% | $4,630 in-state · $8,630 out-of-state |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois | 4,410 | 71% | $15,264 |
| Wilberforce University | Wilberforce, Ohio | 822 | 40% | $16,448 |
| Williams College | Williamstown, Massachusetts | 2,076 | 8% | $68,560 |
| Winona State University | Winona, Minnesota | 5,144 | 75% | $10,576 in-state · $17,308 out-of-state |
Sources: IPEDS (fall 2024 enrollment and admissions); College Scorecard (published tuition and fees before aid, about 2023–24). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Related lists
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges in the Northeast
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges in the Southeast
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges in the Midwest
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges in the South and Southwest
FAQ
Which small-town and rural colleges admit at least half of applicants? 149 of the 176: Albion College, Alfred University, Allegheny College, Alma College, Anna Maria College, Appalachian State University, Arkansas Tech University, Ashland University, Bard College, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Brigham Young University–Idaho and 137 more (fall 2024).
What are the largest and smallest small-town and rural colleges? Brigham Young University–Idaho is the largest, with 44,397 undergraduates, and Rust College is the smallest, with 467 (fall 2024).
How many small-town and rural colleges are public? 108 of the 176 are public and 68 are private.
Where these numbers come from
Lens covers the 850 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges that receive the most applications, so some smaller colleges are not listed. Enrollment, acceptance rates and degrees come from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education, fall 2024); published prices from the College Scorecard. Each college's page lists its own sources. See the data behind Lens.