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

Thomas More University
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T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,958enrollment
  • $21,962net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1256SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Fisher College
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F
Boston, MA

Fisher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $26,257net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 800-1070SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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University of Charleston
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C
Charleston, WV

University of Charleston

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia

  • 3,059enrollment
  • $21,308net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 985-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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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

#15 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,903enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Guilford College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $23,882net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Oglethorpe University
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O
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,491enrollment
  • $20,094net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1305SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Cabrini College
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C
Radnor, PA

Cabrini College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,613enrollment
  • $21,981net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Lubbock Christian University
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L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $23,551net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Concordia University Seward
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C
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 3,047enrollment
  • $23,067net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,242enrollment
  • $20,390net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,481enrollment
  • $19,911net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Concordia University Chicago
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C
River Forest, IL
 

Concordia University Chicago

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,354enrollment
  • $18,832net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Avila University
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A
Kansas City, MO
 

Avila University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,306enrollment
  • $17,210net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 933-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,531enrollment
  • $12,557net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,973enrollment
  • $19,204net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Baker University
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B
Baldwin City, KS

Baker University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 2,105enrollment
  • $23,957net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 970-1130SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $21,583net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,532enrollment
  • $26,539net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 858-1105SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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