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

Chaminade University of Honolulu
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C
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,602enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Oglethorpe University
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O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,522enrollment
  • $22,251net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1106-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,624enrollment
  • $19,910net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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University of Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,447enrollment
  • $19,903net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Dominican College of Blauvelt
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D
Orangeburg, NY
 

Dominican College of Blauvelt

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#54 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $23,907net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1235SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

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Alvernia University
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A
Reading, PA

Alvernia University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,485enrollment
  • $26,166net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1066-1253SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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University of Lynchburg
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L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,592enrollment
  • $22,921net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $24,091net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 960-1191SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $17,424net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
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C
Fayette, MO
 

Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,017enrollment
  • $25,050net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1041-1138SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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St. Mary's University
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S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,411enrollment
  • $20,562net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,273net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $23,282net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $26,429net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Lynn University
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L
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,501enrollment
  • $39,582net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1200SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,771enrollment
  • $24,962net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1205SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Marywood University
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M
Scranton, PA

Marywood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#47 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,850enrollment
  • $24,712net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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