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

Luther College
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L
Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $24,790net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1098-1318SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg 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

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $41,209net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Dominican University of California
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D
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University of California

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,026enrollment
  • $51,292net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1291SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Salve Regina University
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S
Newport, RI

Salve Regina University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $37,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1295SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg 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

#9 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,451enrollment
  • $29,720net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1220SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Knox College
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K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,001enrollment
  • $25,524net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1385SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

#35 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,050enrollment
  • $18,324net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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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

  • 4,083enrollment
  • $26,618net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,308enrollment
  • $28,190net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1285SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Siena College
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S
Loudonville, NY

Siena College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#36 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,623enrollment
  • $32,602net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1093-1360SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,862enrollment
  • $37,558net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Susquehanna University
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S
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,247enrollment
  • $27,258net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,345enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $24,695net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lebanon Valley College
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L
Annville, PA

Lebanon Valley College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,142enrollment
  • $28,640net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1093-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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Hamline University
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H
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,432enrollment
  • $22,759net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1146-1393SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Bethel University
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B
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,521enrollment
  • $30,375net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1240SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 11,070enrollment
  • $41,550net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

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