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

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
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F
Orlando, FL

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $27,329net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1140SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Western New England University
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W
Springfield, MA

Western New England University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,430enrollment
  • $30,214net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,536enrollment
  • $26,974net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1380SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,970enrollment
  • $22,813net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Canisius College
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C
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $19,635net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Elmhurst College
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E
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,731enrollment
  • $24,108net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Berry College
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B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Drew University
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D
Madison, NJ

Drew University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,092enrollment
  • $28,183net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Spelman College
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S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $37,085net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,688enrollment
  • $25,201net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

  • 3,920enrollment
  • $37,901net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Concordia University Wisconsin
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C
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 4,988enrollment
  • $24,485net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Meredith College
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M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,587enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Pace University New York
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P
New York, NY

Pace University New York

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 13,609enrollment
  • $33,363net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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St John's University New York
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S
Queens, NY

St John's University New York

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 19,663enrollment
  • $26,052net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1310SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Hamline University
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H
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,638enrollment
  • $23,021net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1258SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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College of Our Lady of the Elms
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O
Chicopee, MA

College of Our Lady of the Elms

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,275enrollment
  • $23,498net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,747enrollment
  • $23,359net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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