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.


596 results nationwide

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

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $30,276net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Immaculata University
I
Immaculata, PA

Immaculata University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,361enrollment
  • $29,188net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Roosevelt University
R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,725enrollment
  • $22,117net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 16-26ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

Anderson University
A
Anderson, IN

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,290enrollment
  • $21,459net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Campbell University
C
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 5,272enrollment
  • $24,280net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Tuskegee University
T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,570enrollment
  • $35,596net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 970-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

The University of Tampa
T
Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,566enrollment
  • $34,653net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Marietta College
M
Marietta, OH

Marietta College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,198enrollment
  • $22,895net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Spring Arbor University
S
Spring Arbor, MI
 

Spring Arbor University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,396enrollment
  • $22,375net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 970-1135SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Arcadia University
A
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,026enrollment
  • $29,692net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1320SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Drury University
D
Springfield, MO
 

Drury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,595enrollment
  • $20,996net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1360SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

Caldwell University
C
Caldwell, NJ
 

Caldwell University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,028enrollment
  • $20,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Long Island University C W Post Campus
L
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 15,737enrollment
  • $25,802net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Saint Francis University
S
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,857enrollment
  • $27,459net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Northwood University Michigan
N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,616net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Mississippi College
M
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Mississippi

  • 3,946enrollment
  • $20,874net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Catawba College
C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

St. Mary's University
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15