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

Cornell University
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C
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in America

  • 25,898enrollment
  • $26,060net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

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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

#20 Best Colleges in America

  • 17,012enrollment
  • $23,432net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Pomona College
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P
Claremont, CA

Pomona College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,716enrollment
  • $19,962net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 8

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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

  • 34,782enrollment
  • $22,058net price
  • 4%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1580SAT 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

  • 28,201enrollment
  • $26,123net price
  • 7%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

  • 14,841enrollment
  • $26,680net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Bowdoin College
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B
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,915enrollment
  • $22,776net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Middlebury College
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M
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,843enrollment
  • $22,181net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1425-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Colgate University
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C
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New York

  • 3,141enrollment
  • $27,074net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Hamilton College
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H
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in New York

  • 2,072enrollment
  • $24,503net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1540SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Georgetown University
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G
Washington, DC

Georgetown University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 20,984enrollment
  • $35,566net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1560SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

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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 Value in Virginia

  • 2,243enrollment
  • $24,733net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1533SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg 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

  • 13,105enrollment
  • $28,474net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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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

  • 13,431enrollment
  • $30,479net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated 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

#19 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,270net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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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

  • 48,945enrollment
  • $36,808net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,442enrollment
  • $26,009net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Haverford College
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H
Haverford, PA

Haverford College

Private 4 Year

7 reviews

#1 Best Value in Pennsylvania

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $23,476net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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