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

Bay Path University
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B
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,465enrollment
  • $18,502net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,052enrollment
  • $13,591net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Trinity International University
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T
Deerfield, IL
 

Trinity International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,242enrollment
  • $16,703net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 925-1106SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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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

#15 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 11,574enrollment
  • $17,002net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1280SAT range
  • 25-28ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Mount Vernon Nazarene University
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M
Mount Vernon, OH
 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,941enrollment
  • $23,391net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 963-1228SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Viterbo University
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V
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $23,257net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Texas Lutheran University
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T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,369enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Pfeiffer University
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P
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,076enrollment
  • $21,575net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 891-1165SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Delaware Valley University
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D
Doylestown, PA

Delaware Valley University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#45 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,178enrollment
  • $29,256net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1198SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $20,578net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1450SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Virginia Wesleyan College
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V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,538enrollment
  • $23,046net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1365SAT range
  • 27-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Lasell College
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L
Newton, MA

Lasell College

Private 4 Year

18 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,591enrollment
  • $29,706net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 995-1268SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,307enrollment
  • $11,985net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Rocky Mountain College
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R
Billings, MT

Rocky Mountain College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Montana

  • 1,054enrollment
  • $19,353net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Hiram College
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H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,018enrollment
  • $19,384net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,651enrollment
  • $25,198net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Gardner Webb University
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G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,144enrollment
  • $22,339net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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