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

Stetson University
Connect Me
S
DeLand, FL

Stetson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Florida

  • 3,669enrollment
  • $22,914net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pacific University
Connect Me
P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,479enrollment
  • $34,809net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

Compare Calculate my chances 
Simpson College
Connect Me
S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,163enrollment
  • $23,637net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Emmanuel College
Connect Me
E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $33,214net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
George Fox University
Connect Me
G
Newberg, OR

George Fox University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 4,531enrollment
  • $30,649net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Transylvania University
Connect Me
T
Lexington, KY

Transylvania University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,022enrollment
  • $25,634net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hartwick College
Connect Me
H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,113enrollment
  • $26,818net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Jacksonville University
Connect Me
J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,957enrollment
  • $25,745net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1260SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Widener University Main Campus
Connect Me
W
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,610enrollment
  • $30,720net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilkes University
Connect Me
W
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,198enrollment
  • $28,508net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1270SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Connect Me
W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,094enrollment
  • $22,809net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pace University New York
Connect Me
P
New York, NY

Pace University New York

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $34,299net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1328SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Norbert College
Connect Me
S
De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $27,236net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1066-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bellarmine University
Connect Me
B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,993enrollment
  • $24,432net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1243SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Randolph Macon College
Connect Me
R
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,523enrollment
  • $29,058net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pacific Lutheran University
Connect Me
P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $23,841net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 988-1258SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Concordia University Wisconsin
Connect Me
C
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 5,063enrollment
  • $28,060net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Asbury University
Connect Me
A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $21,375net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best private colleges by state: