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

University of Hartford
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H
West Hartford, CT

University of Hartford

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 5,913enrollment
  • $30,553net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Calvin University
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,364enrollment
  • $26,374net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1340SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

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Spelman College
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S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,633enrollment
  • $37,403net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Maryland Institute College of Art
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M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,861enrollment
  • $43,066net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 915-1220SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Chatham University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,319enrollment
  • $29,051net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Drew University
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D
Madison, NJ

Drew University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,226enrollment
  • $28,193net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Endicott College
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E
Beverly, MA

Endicott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,254enrollment
  • $39,988net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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LeTourneau University
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L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,389enrollment
  • $27,007net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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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

  • 5,374enrollment
  • $27,047net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Augustana University
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A
Sioux Falls, SD

Augustana University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in South Dakota

  • 2,158enrollment
  • $25,280net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,328enrollment
  • $36,846net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1165-1340SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Roger Williams University
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R
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,344enrollment
  • $37,936net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Evansville
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E
Evansville, IN

University of Evansville

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,109enrollment
  • $21,611net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Hendrix College
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H
Conway, AR

Hendrix College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,107enrollment
  • $24,236net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1385SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Mount St Mary's University
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M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,499enrollment
  • $25,298net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Saint Michael's College
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S
Colchester, VT

Saint Michael's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

  • 1,370enrollment
  • $30,806net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1310SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Gordon College
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G
Wenham, MA

Gordon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1168-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Meredith College
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M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $23,405net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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