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

Point Loma Nazarene University
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P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,319enrollment
  • $34,933net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Baldwin Wallace College
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B
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,220enrollment
  • $28,705net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1043-1298SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Saint Johns University
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S
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,645enrollment
  • $27,982net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 915-1185SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,603enrollment
  • $21,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Saint Joseph's College New York
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S
Brooklyn, NY
 

Saint Joseph's College New York

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#34 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $18,001net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1093-1306SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Augustana College
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A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,349enrollment
  • $24,660net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Whitworth University
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W
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,415enrollment
  • $28,299net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Champlain College
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C
Burlington, VT

Champlain College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Vermont

  • 3,543enrollment
  • $35,133net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1163-1348SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Siena College
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S
Loudonville, NY

Siena College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,648enrollment
  • $30,842net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1270SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,301enrollment
  • $38,983net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

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Pacific Lutheran University
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P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,633enrollment
  • $24,825net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1253-1423SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Cedarville University
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C
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,960enrollment
  • $25,462net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1380SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,958enrollment
  • $22,755net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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University of Evansville
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E
Evansville, IN

University of Evansville

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,017enrollment
  • $19,301net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Gwynedd Mercy College
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G
Gwynedd Valley, PA
 

Gwynedd Mercy College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,091enrollment
  • $28,122net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1235SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,910enrollment
  • $36,225net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 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

  • 12,886enrollment
  • $28,279net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Susquehanna University
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S
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,231enrollment
  • $28,605net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1280SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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