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

Capital University
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C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,617enrollment
  • $24,439net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 960-1186SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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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

  • 2,978enrollment
  • $22,663net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 1,962enrollment
  • $18,187net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1043-1251SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Gordon College
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G
Wenham, MA

Gordon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,628enrollment
  • $24,483net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1086-1313SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Northwestern College
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N
Saint Paul, MN
 

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $25,704net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1311SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,255enrollment
  • $20,059net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Malone University
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M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,199enrollment
  • $21,571net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 943-1190SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Benedictine University
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B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,123enrollment
  • $25,658net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Cardinal Stritch University
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C
Milwaukee, WI
 

Cardinal Stritch University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,332enrollment
  • $20,002net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 18-21ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Southern Adventist University
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S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,903enrollment
  • $24,332net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 980-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Saint Thomas Aquinas College
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S
Sparkill, NY
 

Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,033enrollment
  • $21,745net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 920-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Mercy College of Ohio
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M
Toledo, OH
 

Mercy College of Ohio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,261enrollment
  • $14,564net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 780-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Gallaudet University
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G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,322enrollment
  • $13,787net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 752-1089SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Mount Saint Mary College
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M
Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,918enrollment
  • $23,439net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1225SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Saint Peter's University
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S
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peter's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in New Jersey

  • 3,430enrollment
  • $11,996net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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MidAmerica Nazarene University
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M
Olathe, KS
 

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,508enrollment
  • $28,787net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 916-1118SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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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

#51 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,786enrollment
  • $23,294net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1001-1228SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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