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

John Brown University
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J
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arkansas

  • 2,326enrollment
  • $20,997net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1390SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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Biola University
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B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,387enrollment
  • $31,522net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1365SAT range
  • 23-30ACT 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 Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $30,945net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1113-1328SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lebanon Valley College
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L
Annville, PA

Lebanon Valley College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,080enrollment
  • $26,743net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1280SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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University of Redlands
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R
Redlands, CA

University of Redlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,460enrollment
  • $28,157net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1113-1278SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Regis University
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R
Denver, CO

Regis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Colorado

  • 4,668enrollment
  • $26,377net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Molloy College
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M
Rockville Centre, NY
 

Molloy College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,807enrollment
  • $27,243net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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DePaul University
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D
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 20,917enrollment
  • $32,151net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Xavier University
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X
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 6,114enrollment
  • $31,619net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Saint Marys College of California
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S
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College of California

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,765enrollment
  • $32,129net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1253SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 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

  • 1,769enrollment
  • $34,486net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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Le Moyne College
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L
Syracuse, NY

Le Moyne College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,203enrollment
  • $23,309net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1290SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Knox College
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K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $26,882net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Moravian University
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M
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,533enrollment
  • $31,168net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1253SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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DeSales University
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D
Center Valley, PA

DeSales University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,991enrollment
  • $29,104net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Rider University
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R
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 4,054enrollment
  • $26,388net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Washington & Jefferson College
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W
Washington, PA

Washington & Jefferson College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,151enrollment
  • $25,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
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E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 3,162enrollment
  • $38,909net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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