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

Lewis University
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L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,513enrollment
  • $19,184net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1200SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Eckerd College
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E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,993enrollment
  • $40,119net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,615enrollment
  • $30,416net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Wittenberg University
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W
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,299enrollment
  • $22,912net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Detroit Mercy
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D
Detroit, MI

University of Detroit Mercy

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 5,360enrollment
  • $18,197net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1208SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

  • 1,144enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1133-1328SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Taylor University
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T
Upland, IN

Taylor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,221enrollment
  • $27,366net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Pacific University
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P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,559enrollment
  • $33,472net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1350SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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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

  • 4,397enrollment
  • $37,964net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1270SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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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

  • 1,410enrollment
  • $27,311net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1123-1358SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Messiah College
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M
Grantham, PA

Messiah College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,231enrollment
  • $24,120net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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Northwest University
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N
Kirkland, WA

Northwest University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $23,722net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Widener University Main Campus
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W
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,416enrollment
  • $32,185net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Augsburg College
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A
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,088enrollment
  • $25,409net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1188-1376SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.27Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Institute of Technology
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F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 8,315enrollment
  • $30,752net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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D'Youville College
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D
Buffalo, NY

D'Youville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,518enrollment
  • $21,755net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1025-1265SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Agnes Scott College
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A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,114enrollment
  • $24,305net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due May 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

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $48,198net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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