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

Madonna University
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M
Livonia, MI

Madonna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,109enrollment
  • $18,344net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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St. Francis College
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S
Brooklyn Heights, NY

St. Francis College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,661enrollment
  • $18,602net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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University of Lynchburg
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L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,394enrollment
  • $23,256net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Marywood University
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M
Scranton, PA

Marywood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#44 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,729enrollment
  • $22,504net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1200SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Converse College
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C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $19,653net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1235SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,032enrollment
  • $15,255net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Curry College
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C
Milton, MA

Curry College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,052enrollment
  • $31,091net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1165SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Huntington University
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H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $20,066net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,660enrollment
  • $19,029net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $27,607net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 3,419enrollment
  • $18,080net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Ave Maria University
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A
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,310enrollment
  • $21,078net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,566enrollment
  • $32,801net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,667enrollment
  • $26,209net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,934enrollment
  • $18,612net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,960enrollment
  • $22,431net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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University of Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,018enrollment
  • $22,283net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg 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

#2 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,228enrollment
  • $15,916net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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