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

Andrews University
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A
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,858enrollment
  • $24,194net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1350SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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N
Omaha, NE
 

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,146enrollment
  • $18,661net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Dominican University of California
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D
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University of California

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,877enrollment
  • $49,907net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1236SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Concordia College at Moorhead
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C
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College at Moorhead

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,903enrollment
  • $23,087net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1218SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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George Fox University
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G
Newberg, OR

George Fox University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 4,028enrollment
  • $28,840net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Simpson College
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S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,151enrollment
  • $23,185net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Brigham Young University Hawaii
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B
Laie, HI

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $15,835net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1236SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Abilene Christian University
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A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 5,079enrollment
  • $28,978net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Hartwick College
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H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $22,396net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 10-27ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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Roanoke College
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R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,826enrollment
  • $29,169net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Saint Norbert College
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S
De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,882enrollment
  • $26,983net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Emmanuel College
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E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,012enrollment
  • $32,273net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Saint Bonaventure University
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S
Saint Bonaventure, NY

Saint Bonaventure University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,602enrollment
  • $26,004net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 30

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,073enrollment
  • $25,686net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,281enrollment
  • $27,324net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due May 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

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $24,379net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Utica College
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U
Utica, NY
 

Utica College

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,861enrollment
  • $22,372net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1084-1250SAT range
  • 23-32ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Manhattanville College
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M
Purchase, NY

Manhattanville College

Private 4 Year

25 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,240enrollment
  • $24,702net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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