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

Illinois Institute of Technology
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I
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 8,563enrollment
  • $25,001net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1410SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

  • 3,368enrollment
  • $28,643net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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Saint Anselm College
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S
Manchester, NH

Saint Anselm College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Hampshire

  • 2,078enrollment
  • $35,091net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 25-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Lake Forest College
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L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,818enrollment
  • $29,894net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1365SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Saint Johns University
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S
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,624enrollment
  • $29,473net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1280SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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University of Detroit Mercy
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D
Detroit, MI

University of Detroit Mercy

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 5,528enrollment
  • $17,987net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

#7 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,979enrollment
  • $23,913net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1310SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Xavier University
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X
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 6,000enrollment
  • $31,542net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1298SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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John Brown University
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J
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arkansas

  • 2,341enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1345SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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St Catherine University
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S
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,533enrollment
  • $22,357net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1155-1450SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.62Avg 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

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,846enrollment
  • $27,178net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 7

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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

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,775enrollment
  • $31,615net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1253SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

  • 3,496enrollment
  • $23,785net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1116-1246SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Alfred University
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A
Alfred, NY

Alfred University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#34 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,843enrollment
  • $26,127net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Lycoming College
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L
Williamsport, PA

Lycoming College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,063enrollment
  • $20,733net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1273SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,194enrollment
  • $30,462net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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DeSales University
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D
Center Valley, PA

DeSales University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,919enrollment
  • $30,524net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $28,925net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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