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

Norwich University
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N
Northfield, VT

Norwich University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Vermont

  • 3,274enrollment
  • $28,196net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1320SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg 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

  • 4,221enrollment
  • $17,495net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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Iona College
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I
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,720enrollment
  • $28,557net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1265SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,308enrollment
  • $27,434net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,921enrollment
  • $15,668net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Mount Saint Mary College
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M
Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,588net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1255SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Campbell University
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C
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 5,115enrollment
  • $24,517net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,275enrollment
  • $22,707net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Saint Bonaventure University
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S
Saint Bonaventure, NY

Saint Bonaventure University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,603enrollment
  • $27,659net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 30

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University of Mount Union
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M
Alliance, OH

University of Mount Union

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,169enrollment
  • $22,835net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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The University of Findlay
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F
Findlay, OH

The University of Findlay

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 5,057enrollment
  • $26,215net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1213SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Gwynedd Mercy College
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G
Gwynedd Valley, PA
 

Gwynedd Mercy College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $26,733net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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Cabrini College
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C
Radnor, PA

Cabrini College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,048enrollment
  • $24,733net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1069-1257SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Marymount University
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M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,667enrollment
  • $28,147net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
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P
West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,875enrollment
  • $31,103net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of St Francis
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S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,185enrollment
  • $16,455net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 900-1170SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southwestern College
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S
Winfield, KS
 

Southwestern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,139enrollment
  • $27,337net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 900-1220SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Millikin University
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M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,659enrollment
  • $10,078net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 860-1170SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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