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

Westminster College
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W
New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#42 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,203enrollment
  • $21,089net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1258SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,095enrollment
  • $22,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 935-1205SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Franciscan University of Steubenville
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F
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,750enrollment
  • $24,490net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

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Maryville University of Saint Louis
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M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 9,883enrollment
  • $26,733net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,262enrollment
  • $26,779net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 981-1293SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Spring Arbor University
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S
Spring Arbor, MI
 

Spring Arbor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,390enrollment
  • $21,720net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 935-1165SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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College of Mount St. Joseph
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M
Cincinnati, OH
 

College of Mount St. Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,083enrollment
  • $15,887net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 880-1083SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Ave Maria University
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A
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,335enrollment
  • $23,515net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Robert Morris University
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R
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#43 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 4,737enrollment
  • $26,215net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Texas Lutheran University
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T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,361enrollment
  • $23,600net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Tuskegee University
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T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $35,126net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 995-1255SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Oklahoma Baptist University
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O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 1,526enrollment
  • $25,099net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Northwest Nazarene University
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N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,774enrollment
  • $27,291net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Saint Thomas Aquinas College
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S
Sparkill, NY
 

Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,950enrollment
  • $21,257net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 920-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,424enrollment
  • $16,969net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 934-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Walsh University
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W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,160enrollment
  • $21,009net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1056-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $23,321net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 978-1235SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Emory and Henry College
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E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $21,714net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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