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 Mary
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M
Bismarck, ND

University of Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in North Dakota

  • 3,794enrollment
  • $19,225net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1096-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 30

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Roberts Wesleyan College
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R
Rochester, NY
 

Roberts Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,619enrollment
  • $24,202net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 965-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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North Central College
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N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,856enrollment
  • $24,190net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1280SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Wagner College
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W
Staten Island, NY

Wagner College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,932enrollment
  • $28,109net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Agnes Scott College
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A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,077enrollment
  • $25,609net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Wentworth Institute of Technology
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W
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,018enrollment
  • $35,585net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Hanover College
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H
Hanover, IN

Hanover College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,157enrollment
  • $22,929net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $27,080net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1134-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Marietta College
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M
Marietta, OH

Marietta College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,171enrollment
  • $21,333net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1295SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Roanoke College
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R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Messiah College
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M
Grantham, PA

Messiah College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,344enrollment
  • $29,882net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1340SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $23,168net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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Augsburg College
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A
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,161enrollment
  • $24,807net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1188-1376SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.27Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Otis College of Art and Design
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $49,440net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Saint Vincent College
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S
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,442enrollment
  • $23,857net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 993-1231SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

  • 2,778enrollment
  • $26,472net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 19-30ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA

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Ohio Wesleyan University
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O
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,452enrollment
  • $23,826net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,596enrollment
  • $27,216net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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