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

Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,690enrollment
  • $24,863net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Viterbo University
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V
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,301enrollment
  • $23,901net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1380SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Hampton University
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H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,649enrollment
  • $28,576net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 857-1226SAT range
  • 12-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Drury University
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D
Springfield, MO
 

Drury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $22,194net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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Shenandoah University
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S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,343enrollment
  • $26,400net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Malone University
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M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,205enrollment
  • $23,362net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1236SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Mississippi College
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M
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 4,087enrollment
  • $21,135net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

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Waynesburg University
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W
Waynesburg, PA

Waynesburg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,315enrollment
  • $22,837net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Carroll University
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C
Waukesha, WI
 

Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 3,176enrollment
  • $25,171net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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Bay Path University
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B
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,643enrollment
  • $14,935net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,201enrollment
  • $30,275net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1217SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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D'Youville College
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D
Buffalo, NY

D'Youville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,544enrollment
  • $20,268net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 885-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Otterbein University
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O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,357enrollment
  • $22,242net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,861enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The College of Saint Rose
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S
Albany, NY
 

The College of Saint Rose

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,538enrollment
  • $24,618net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1001-1228SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Capital University
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C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,388enrollment
  • $22,480net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 12,268enrollment
  • $20,183net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Georgian Court University
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G
Lakewood, NJ

Georgian Court University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,910enrollment
  • $21,072net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1043-1251SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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