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

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

#16 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,401enrollment
  • $55,485net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

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Concordia University Irvine
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C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,481enrollment
  • $29,413net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg 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

  • 1,484enrollment
  • $28,171net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Louisiana

  • 3,181enrollment
  • $17,874net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 953-1138SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Arcadia University
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A
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#34 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,142enrollment
  • $26,994net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1310SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Curry College
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C
Milton, MA

Curry College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,994enrollment
  • $30,367net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Saint Edward's University
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S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,309enrollment
  • $28,351net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1235SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA

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Saint Francis University
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S
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,835enrollment
  • $27,421net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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Benedictine University
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B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,989enrollment
  • $24,570net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Long Island University C W Post Campus
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L
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,322enrollment
  • $22,620net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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York College Pennsylvania
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Y
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#36 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,720enrollment
  • $21,036net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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William Carey University
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W
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 5,448enrollment
  • $17,192net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

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Immaculata University
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I
Immaculata, PA

Immaculata University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,407enrollment
  • $29,499net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $17,887net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 985-1191SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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The University of Tampa
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T
Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 11,054enrollment
  • $35,975net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Wittenberg University
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W
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,333enrollment
  • $21,457net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Caldwell University
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C
Caldwell, NJ
 

Caldwell University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,864enrollment
  • $23,071net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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King's College
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K
Wilkes-Barre, PA

King's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,932enrollment
  • $25,608net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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