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

Webster University
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W
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,606enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1233SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 20,877enrollment
  • $32,756net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,703enrollment
  • $23,578net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Lincoln Memorial University
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L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,805enrollment
  • $19,401net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Gannon University
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G
Erie, PA

Gannon University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,548enrollment
  • $23,942net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Suffolk University
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S
Boston, MA

Suffolk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,697enrollment
  • $33,089net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Lewis University
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L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,636enrollment
  • $19,472net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Houghton College
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H
Houghton, NY

Houghton College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $22,358net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1390SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg 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

  • 2,379enrollment
  • $25,017net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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La Salle University
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L
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,554enrollment
  • $20,119net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1268SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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Marymount Manhattan College
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M
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#45 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,648enrollment
  • $38,426net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The College of Idaho
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I
Caldwell, ID

The College of Idaho

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,076enrollment
  • $22,602net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,084enrollment
  • $25,850net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1318SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $27,925net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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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

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $28,311net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Ouachita Baptist University
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O
Arkadelphia, AR

Ouachita Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,815enrollment
  • $22,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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University of St Thomas
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S
Houston, TX

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,813enrollment
  • $20,469net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 4,015enrollment
  • $21,503net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 820-1090SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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