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

Washington & Jefferson College
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W
Washington, PA

Washington & Jefferson College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,162enrollment
  • $26,051net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Molloy College
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M
Rockville Centre, NY
 

Molloy College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,970enrollment
  • $25,938net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Seton Hall University
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S
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 9,494enrollment
  • $31,642net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1400SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Seattle Pacific University
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S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,659enrollment
  • $26,155net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 11

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John Carroll University
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J
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,773enrollment
  • $30,790net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Le Moyne College
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L
Syracuse, NY

Le Moyne College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,154enrollment
  • $22,139net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Howard University
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H
HBCU
Washington, DC

Howard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 13,416enrollment
  • $30,028net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1298SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Kettering University
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K
Flint, MI

Kettering University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,605enrollment
  • $33,616net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1310SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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Point Loma Nazarene University
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P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,494enrollment
  • $36,370net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1410SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Willamette University
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W
Salem, OR

Willamette University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Oregon

  • 2,112enrollment
  • $27,716net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Scranton
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S
Scranton, PA

University of Scranton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,825enrollment
  • $32,100net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Regis University
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R
Denver, CO

Regis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Colorado

  • 4,631enrollment
  • $25,062net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Elizabethtown College
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E
Elizabethtown, PA
 

Elizabethtown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,152enrollment
  • $27,019net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Springfield College
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S
Springfield, MA

Springfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,785enrollment
  • $29,198net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Biola University
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B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,296enrollment
  • $30,510net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Goucher College
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G
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,500enrollment
  • $28,749net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1366SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Concordia College at Moorhead
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C
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College at Moorhead

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,868enrollment
  • $25,488net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,047enrollment
  • $27,386net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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