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

Lake Forest College
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L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,753enrollment
  • $27,839net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1153-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Azusa Pacific University
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A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 7,169enrollment
  • $26,666net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Wagner College
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W
Staten Island, NY

Wagner College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,949enrollment
  • $29,710net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Seattle Pacific University
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S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 3,118enrollment
  • $26,549net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1350SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 11

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Whittier College
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W
Whittier, CA

Whittier College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,192enrollment
  • $28,368net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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The College of Saint Scholastica
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S
Duluth, MN

The College of Saint Scholastica

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,207enrollment
  • $24,578net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1310SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Hope College
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H
Holland, MI

Hope College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,251enrollment
  • $25,800net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1330SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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St Catherine University
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S
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,577enrollment
  • $19,976net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1155-1450SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.62Avg 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

  • 4,704enrollment
  • $27,937net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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Elizabethtown College
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E
Elizabethtown, PA
 

Elizabethtown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,021enrollment
  • $26,723net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Juniata College
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J
Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,212enrollment
  • $29,926net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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Calvin College
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,231enrollment
  • $25,775net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

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Rockhurst University
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R
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 3,405enrollment
  • $22,994net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1288SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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John Carroll University
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J
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,922enrollment
  • $30,496net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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College of Saint Benedict
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S
Saint Joseph, MN

College of Saint Benedict

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,470enrollment
  • $28,746net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1245SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Chatham University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,387enrollment
  • $28,322net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Queens University of Charlotte
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Q
Charlotte, NC

Queens University of Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,873enrollment
  • $29,459net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1255SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 7

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University of Saint Joseph
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S
West Hartford, CT

University of Saint Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,992enrollment
  • $25,860net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1275SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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