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

Robert Morris University
R
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,431enrollment
  • $23,572net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Central College
C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,169enrollment
  • $23,303net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1218SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

The University of Findlay
F
Findlay, OH

The University of Findlay

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,869enrollment
  • $24,069net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1213SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Maryville University of Saint Louis
M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 9,959enrollment
  • $26,757net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Piedmont College
P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,843enrollment
  • $18,792net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

University of Mount Union
M
Alliance, OH

University of Mount Union

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,130enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

York College Pennsylvania
Y
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,656enrollment
  • $20,916net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

Lincoln Memorial University
L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,418enrollment
  • $19,162net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 982-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Trevecca Nazarene University
T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,327enrollment
  • $16,080net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Cedar Crest College
C
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,324enrollment
  • $23,500net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Flagler College St Augustine
F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,623enrollment
  • $26,547net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Wisconsin Lutheran College
W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,086enrollment
  • $22,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1038-1243SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Carroll University
C
Waukesha, WI
 

Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 3,283enrollment
  • $25,485net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

Waynesburg University
W
Waynesburg, PA

Waynesburg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,366enrollment
  • $22,281net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Walsh University
W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,309enrollment
  • $20,032net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Shenandoah University
S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,260enrollment
  • $26,143net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Otterbein University
O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,458enrollment
  • $22,661net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA