Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the highest ranked private college in America is Princeton University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Private 4 year

596 results nationwide

Eastern Mennonite University
Connect Me
E
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,334enrollment
  • $23,783net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1590SAT range
  • 25-34ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marquette University
Connect Me
M
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 11,167enrollment
  • $33,136net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Scranton
Connect Me
S
Scranton, PA

University of Scranton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,731enrollment
  • $35,526net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Anselm College
Connect Me
S
Manchester, NH

Saint Anselm College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Hampshire

  • 1,977enrollment
  • $35,080net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1290SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Seton Hall University
Connect Me
S
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 9,623enrollment
  • $33,472net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1390SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Clarkson University
Connect Me
C
Potsdam, NY

Clarkson University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,719enrollment
  • $32,450net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1370SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Kalamazoo College
Connect Me
K
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,210enrollment
  • $26,981net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Loyola University Chicago
Connect Me
L
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 16,899enrollment
  • $37,511net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1370SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Linfield University
Connect Me
L
McMinnville, OR

Linfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 1,754enrollment
  • $31,585net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Dayton
Connect Me
D
Dayton, OH

University of Dayton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 11,674enrollment
  • $30,590net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1158-1363SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bradley University
Connect Me
B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,552enrollment
  • $24,053net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
New York Institute of Technology
Connect Me
N
Old Westbury, NY

New York Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,906enrollment
  • $22,494net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1118-1360SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Emerson College
Connect Me
E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,891enrollment
  • $51,432net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 20

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mercer University
Connect Me
M
Macon, GA

Mercer University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Georgia

  • 8,889enrollment
  • $22,087net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bethel University
Connect Me
B
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,546enrollment
  • $29,915net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1123-1343SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Dallas
Connect Me
D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,328enrollment
  • $27,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Nazareth College
Connect Me
N
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,522enrollment
  • $31,620net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Connect Me
M
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,729enrollment
  • $25,661net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1405SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best private colleges by state: