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

Virginia Wesleyan College
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V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $21,862net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg 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

  • 9,830enrollment
  • $34,201net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Hastings College
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H
Hastings, NE
 

Hastings College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,821net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg 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

  • 1,589enrollment
  • $25,351net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Keuka College
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K
Keuka Park, NY
 

Keuka College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#55 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $26,153net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1008-1183SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,372enrollment
  • $33,480net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Flagler College St Augustine
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F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,441enrollment
  • $31,085net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Utica College
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U
Utica, NY
 

Utica College

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

#56 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,733enrollment
  • $22,510net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Thomas More University
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T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,947enrollment
  • $21,314net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.35Avg 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

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $21,100net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 985-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Reinhardt University
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R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,170enrollment
  • $27,507net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Seton Hill University
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S
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,984enrollment
  • $23,732net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Cairn University
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C
Langhorne, PA
 

Cairn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,056enrollment
  • $27,603net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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University of Saint Mary
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S
Leavenworth, KS
 

University of Saint Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,414enrollment
  • $23,611net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 926-1093SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Methodist University
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M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,768enrollment
  • $25,786net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1220SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,795enrollment
  • $25,216net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Jamestown College
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J
Jamestown, ND
 

Jamestown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in North Dakota

  • 1,215enrollment
  • $20,897net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg 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

#57 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,202enrollment
  • $21,844net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 920-1200SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.14Estimated Avg GPA

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