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

University of Hartford
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H
West Hartford, CT

University of Hartford

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 5,732enrollment
  • $31,687net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Monmouth University
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M
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 5,027enrollment
  • $31,416net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1300SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Saint Vincent College
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S
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $23,121net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Alfred University
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A
Alfred, NY

Alfred University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#36 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,813enrollment
  • $26,183net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1290SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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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

  • 2,086enrollment
  • $23,843net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1325SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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University of La Verne
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L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg 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

  • 2,872enrollment
  • $37,997net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1280SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Albion College
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A
Albion, MI

Albion College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,456enrollment
  • $19,351net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Presbyterian College
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P
Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,199enrollment
  • $21,571net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 21

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Hanover College
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H
Hanover, IN

Hanover College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,124enrollment
  • $26,599net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $43,545net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 967-1362SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Luther College
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Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,734net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1330SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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University of St Francis
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S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,297enrollment
  • $18,560net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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North Central College
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N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,695enrollment
  • $25,285net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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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

  • 4,006enrollment
  • $39,496net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1280SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
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F
Madison, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,823enrollment
  • $21,408net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 19-30ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,399enrollment
  • $27,700net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1315SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Webster University
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W
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 6,396enrollment
  • $23,069net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1026-1315SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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