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

Ashland University
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A
Ashland, OH
 

Ashland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,143enrollment
  • $21,971net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1255SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Cedar Crest College
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C
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,248enrollment
  • $23,036net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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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

  • 1,150enrollment
  • $15,705net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Huntington University
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H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,504enrollment
  • $21,149net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,043enrollment
  • $17,068net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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Anderson University
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A
Anderson, IN

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,255enrollment
  • $21,914net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg 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

  • 3,154enrollment
  • $25,374net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 970-1270SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,075enrollment
  • $25,200net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Our Lady of the Lake College
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O
Baton Rouge, LA
 

Our Lady of the Lake College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,204enrollment
  • $15,239net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,005enrollment
  • $19,836net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1480SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Gallaudet University
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G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $15,025net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 750-933SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Bridgewater College
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B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,436enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1375SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Gardner Webb University
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G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,125enrollment
  • $24,035net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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MidAmerica Nazarene University
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M
Olathe, KS
 

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,539enrollment
  • $29,992net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 928-1118SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Saint Martin's University
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S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,505enrollment
  • $22,779net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 14-22ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Hiram College
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H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,362net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg 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

#10 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 3,673enrollment
  • $14,486net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Holy Family University
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H
Philadelphia, PA
 

Holy Family University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#45 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,148enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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