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

Aquinas College
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A
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Piedmont College
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P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $21,599net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,951enrollment
  • $18,156net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,322enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1270SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Converse College
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C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,341enrollment
  • $19,438net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1238SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lindenwood University
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L
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,288enrollment
  • $18,698net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Saint Xavier University
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S
Chicago, IL
 

Saint Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,457enrollment
  • $11,943net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,414net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Point Park University
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P
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,299enrollment
  • $25,477net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Neumann University
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N
Aston, PA
 

Neumann University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,171enrollment
  • $29,298net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 905-1085SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Madonna University
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M
Livonia, MI

Madonna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,054enrollment
  • $18,583net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 7,251enrollment
  • $21,246net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Saint Joseph's College of Maine
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S
Standish, ME
 

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maine

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $28,268net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,128enrollment
  • $29,481net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Thomas University
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T
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,583enrollment
  • $19,087net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 970-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $21,321net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 968-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Concordia University Chicago
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C
River Forest, IL
 

Concordia University Chicago

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,066enrollment
  • $17,767net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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