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

Trevecca Nazarene University
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T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $16,222net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 973-1193SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,845enrollment
  • $23,293net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 963-1228SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Judson University
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J
Elgin, IL

Judson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $21,331net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,748enrollment
  • $32,204net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1068-1280SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 6

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Guilford College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $22,620net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Delaware Valley University
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D
Doylestown, PA

Delaware Valley University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,189enrollment
  • $28,401net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 24-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $20,990net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1188SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Catawba College
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C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,241enrollment
  • $18,319net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1186SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,611enrollment
  • $28,076net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Baker University
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B
Baldwin City, KS

Baker University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $23,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 970-1130SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Siena Heights University
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S
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,832enrollment
  • $17,740net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $28,477net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1260SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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North Greenville University
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N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,264net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
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S
Fort Wayne, IN
 

University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $20,897net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,195enrollment
  • $16,632net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Benedictine College
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B
Atchison, KS
 

Benedictine College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 2,465enrollment
  • $28,451net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1117-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Centenary University
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C
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,453enrollment
  • $22,838net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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La Roche College
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L
Pittsburgh, PA
 

La Roche College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,618enrollment
  • $24,638net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1235SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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