Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in America for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2025 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

601 results nationwide

New York Institute of Technology
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N
Old Westbury, NY

New York Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,757enrollment
  • $23,074net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1390SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Samford University
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S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,791enrollment
  • $32,176net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Emerson College
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E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,670enrollment
  • $50,703net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1410SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 20

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Marist College
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M
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,452enrollment
  • $40,106net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Moravian University
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M
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,658enrollment
  • $30,720net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Marquette University
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M
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 11,373enrollment
  • $32,031net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Nazareth College
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N
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,439enrollment
  • $31,321net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Mercer University
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M
Macon, GA

Mercer University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Georgia

  • 9,124enrollment
  • $24,197net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Loyola University Chicago
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L
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 17,397enrollment
  • $37,592net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Oklahoma City University
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O
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,763enrollment
  • $23,143net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1233SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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University of Redlands
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R
Redlands, CA

University of Redlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,192enrollment
  • $28,054net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1323SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Milwaukee School of Engineering
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M
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,834enrollment
  • $26,122net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1405SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Azusa Pacific University
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A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,487enrollment
  • $26,117net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 994-1314SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Ohio Northern University
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O
Ada, OH

Ohio Northern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,042enrollment
  • $26,396net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1173-1376SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Linfield University
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L
McMinnville, OR

Linfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $31,462net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Kalamazoo College
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K
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,196enrollment
  • $26,050net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1188-1373SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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DePaul University
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D
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 21,348enrollment
  • $32,129net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Indiana Wesleyan University
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I
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,207enrollment
  • $23,364net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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