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

Cornell University
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C
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in America

  • 26,264enrollment
  • $26,455net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

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Pomona College
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P
Claremont, CA

Pomona College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,664enrollment
  • $17,423net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 8

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Washington University in St Louis
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W
Saint Louis, MO

Washington University in St Louis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in America

  • 16,500enrollment
  • $22,440net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Columbia University in the City of New York
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C
New York, NY

Columbia University in the City of New York

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Colleges in America

  • 35,279enrollment
  • $20,869net price
  • 4%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Pennsylvania
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P
Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in America

  • 28,711enrollment
  • $26,017net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Emory University
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E
Atlanta, GA

Emory University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in America

  • 15,046enrollment
  • $27,986net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Hamilton College
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H
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,048enrollment
  • $26,021net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Bowdoin College
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B
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#21 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 1,850enrollment
  • $23,110net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Colgate University
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C
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,146enrollment
  • $26,954net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1530SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Washington and Lee University
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W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,277enrollment
  • $24,667net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Middlebury College
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M
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,857enrollment
  • $22,912net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Wesleyan University
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W
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 3,271enrollment
  • $20,463net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Notre Dame
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N
Notre Dame, IN

University of Notre Dame

Private 4 Year

7 reviews

#1 Best Value in Indiana

  • 13,174enrollment
  • $29,083net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Georgetown University
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G
Washington, DC

Georgetown University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Value in District Of Columbia

  • 20,392enrollment
  • $37,967net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

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Tufts University
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T
Medford, MA

Tufts University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 13,274enrollment
  • $33,333net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Barnard College
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B
New York, NY

Barnard College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,353enrollment
  • $27,738net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1453-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Davidson College
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D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,904enrollment
  • $26,510net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

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University of Southern California
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S
Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 47,147enrollment
  • $41,496net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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