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

La Salle University
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L
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#34 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,049enrollment
  • $17,552net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1268SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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College of Mount St. Joseph
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M
Cincinnati, OH
 

College of Mount St. Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,027enrollment
  • $17,506net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1068-1233SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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William Jessup University
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W
Rocklin, CA
 

William Jessup University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,624enrollment
  • $27,591net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Concordia University Irvine
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C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,744enrollment
  • $29,508net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Saint Mary of the Woods College
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S
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
 

Saint Mary of the Woods College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $17,358net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 868-1052SAT range
  • 18-30ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,784enrollment
  • $21,677net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Jacksonville University
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J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,837enrollment
  • $26,943net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Harding University
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H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,805enrollment
  • $19,558net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Wilkes University
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W
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,207enrollment
  • $27,918net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1260SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.56Avg 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

#12 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,588enrollment
  • $19,207net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Ashland University
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A
Ashland, OH
 

Ashland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,174enrollment
  • $20,342net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1073-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Randolph Macon College
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R
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,490enrollment
  • $28,389net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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S
Chicago, IL

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,532enrollment
  • $53,923net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,861enrollment
  • $27,375net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Niagara University
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N
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#47 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,858enrollment
  • $18,165net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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Franciscan University of Steubenville
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F
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,656enrollment
  • $25,310net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

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Westminster College
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W
New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#36 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,211enrollment
  • $22,645net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1258SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Siena Heights University
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S
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,857enrollment
  • $20,074net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 930-1133SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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