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

La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $25,076net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,237enrollment
  • $16,627net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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College of Mount Saint Vincent
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M
Bronx, NY

College of Mount Saint Vincent

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,877enrollment
  • $17,084net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 943-1216SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.14Estimated Avg GPA

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Greenville University
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G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,088enrollment
  • $20,718net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 809-1209SAT range
  • 15-28ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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Seton Hill University
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S
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,988enrollment
  • $24,576net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $23,683net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1120SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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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

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

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Benedictine College
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B
Atchison, KS
 

Benedictine College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 2,362enrollment
  • $30,067net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of New Haven
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N
West Haven, CT

University of New Haven

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 8,819enrollment
  • $33,135net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Methodist University
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M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,811enrollment
  • $28,129net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1063-1200SAT range
  • 23-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Bridgewater College
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B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $19,332net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Holy Family University
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H
Philadelphia, PA
 

Holy Family University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#47 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,912enrollment
  • $12,379net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 852-1092SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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Eastern University
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E
Saint Davids, PA
 

Eastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 5,769enrollment
  • $26,669net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Point Park University
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P
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#49 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,288enrollment
  • $24,702net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1245SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg 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

#9 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,609enrollment
  • $21,811net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 925-1180SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Mount Mary College
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M
Milwaukee, WI
 

Mount Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,198enrollment
  • $22,897net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 866-1123SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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Illinois College
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I
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,029enrollment
  • $16,296net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 960-1126SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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